20th C. African Wood Ritual Enema Funnel (Clyster)
**Originally Listed At $500**
Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Hemba, Kuba, or Bangubangu peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden clyster (enema funnel) of a ritual form used on cattle. The conical instrument has a wide funnel mouth that tapers to a narrow tubular opening with a slanted tip for easy administration. The upper funnel shoulder has an integral suspension loop with an abstract anthropomorphic maskette on the exterior bearing ovoid eyes, a trapezoidal nose, and scarification marks across the cheeks and eyebrows. Ritual clysters like this example were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using fire and smoke which has imbued the funnel with a lustrous brown patina and a slight smoldering scent. Size: 4.7" W x 11.25" H (11.9 cm x 28.6 cm)
Cf. a Kuba example at The University of Michigan Museum of Art, accession number 1984/2.27
Provenance: ex-private St. Petersburg, Florida, USA collection; ex-Dr. Peter Horvath collection, Massachusetts USA, acquired in the 1980s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#158273
Condition Report: Small nicks and a few stable hairline fissures to upper funnel rim, with chips to funnel tip, softening to carved face on suspension loop, light encrustations, slight inactive insect damage, and noticeable smoky smell, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina throughout.
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**Originally Listed At $500**
Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Hemba, Kuba, or Bangubangu peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden clyster (enema funnel) of a ritual form used on cattle. The conical instrument has a wide funnel mouth that tapers to a narrow tubular opening with a slanted tip for easy administration. The upper funnel shoulder has an integral suspension loop with an abstract anthropomorphic maskette on the exterior bearing ovoid eyes, a trapezoidal nose, and scarification marks across the cheeks and eyebrows. Ritual clysters like this example were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using fire and smoke which has imbued the funnel with a lustrous brown patina and a slight smoldering scent. Size: 4.7" W x 11.25" H (11.9 cm x 28.6 cm)
Cf. a Kuba example at The University of Michigan Museum of Art, accession number 1984/2.27
Provenance: ex-private St. Petersburg, Florida, USA collection; ex-Dr. Peter Horvath collection, Massachusetts USA, acquired in the 1980s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#158273
Condition Report: Small nicks and a few stable hairline fissures to upper funnel rim, with chips to funnel tip, softening to carved face on suspension loop, light encrustations, slight inactive insect damage, and noticeable smoky smell, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina throughout.
Estimate
Time, Location
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