Shankadi Mpungi ivory horn Luba Congo - SOLD OUT
Rare African object of prestige that this ivory horn from Luba art
In traditional Luba art, horns, also called oliphants, are unusual and are not well known, unlike many other traditional African art objects. All the experts do not agree on the exact name or the role of this type of horns but a consensus has been formed. They are therefore called Mpungi. It should be noted that these African objects also exist in the Suku and Songye cultures. According to research, it seems that these horns or oliphants were used as trumpets to announce the arrival of the chief. Some would have had even more important roles as insignia of royalty and prestige objects or even as instruments of magic power. Remarkably, given its stylistic characteristics, this piece can be identified as coming from the region of Shankadi, and more precisely the workshop of cascading headdress masters whose neckrests are well known, among other objects. Provenance: private collection of traditional African art Jan Putteneers, Belgium Our gallery specializing in tribal art has offered for sale other pieces from the Putteneers collection. This is a collector, former merchant located in Antwerp (Antwerpen). Do not hesitate to contact us for suggestions of equivalent items.
Origin : private collection Putteneers, BelgiuDating : 1940Size : 27 x 4 cmMaterial : ivory
00432
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Circa 1940
- Size
- Ethnic group
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
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Rare African object of prestige that this ivory horn from Luba art
In traditional Luba art, horns, also called oliphants, are unusual and are not well known, unlike many other traditional African art objects. All the experts do not agree on the exact name or the role of this type of horns but a consensus has been formed. They are therefore called Mpungi. It should be noted that these African objects also exist in the Suku and Songye cultures. According to research, it seems that these horns or oliphants were used as trumpets to announce the arrival of the chief. Some would have had even more important roles as insignia of royalty and prestige objects or even as instruments of magic power. Remarkably, given its stylistic characteristics, this piece can be identified as coming from the region of Shankadi, and more precisely the workshop of cascading headdress masters whose neckrests are well known, among other objects. Provenance: private collection of traditional African art Jan Putteneers, Belgium Our gallery specializing in tribal art has offered for sale other pieces from the Putteneers collection. This is a collector, former merchant located in Antwerp (Antwerpen). Do not hesitate to contact us for suggestions of equivalent items.
Origin : private collection Putteneers, BelgiuDating : 1940Size : 27 x 4 cmMaterial : ivory