Kuba (or Bakuba): Democratic Republic of Congo: A special wrapover skirt of the Kuba women, called 'Ntshak'. Used as a funerary piece of clothing or as a burial deposition.
Kuba (or Bakuba): Democratic Republic of Congo: A special wrapover skirt of the Kuba women, called 'Ntshak'. Used as a funerary piece of clothing or as a burial deposition.
The long mapel wrapover skirt was worn by the women of the Kuba in the south of Congo. (See cat. no. 103). On special occasions, a shorter wrapover skirt called ‘Ntshak’ was also used. For gatherings, dances, as a sign of a widow, and - as is presently the case - for burials. A ‘Ntshak’ always consists of a border on three sides and a centrepiece called ‘Mbom’. By this ‘Mbom’ one can tell the current purpose of the garment. In the case of the present wrapover skirt 'Ntshak' the border is made up of very fine tringle-squares and jagged bands, made out of the fibres the raffia palm, and the inner surface, the 'Mbom', consists of many small triangles (from white and black-dyed bark fabric) sewn together. This black and white bark pattern distinguishes the skirt as a mourning ‘Ntshak’! It was only worn at funerals or placed alternatively in the grave of the deceased. Framed under glass. Dimensions: 142 cm x 62 cm. Late 19th century to early 20th century. (ME)
Provenance:
Austrian Private Collection.
Lit.:
'African Textiles' by John Gillow, ill. p. 202.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
09.06.2016 - 17:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 1,000.-
Kuba (or Bakuba): Democratic Republic of Congo: A special wrapover skirt of the Kuba women, called 'Ntshak'. Used as a funerary piece of clothing or as a burial deposition.
The long mapel wrapover skirt was worn by the women of the Kuba in the south of Congo. (See cat. no. 103). On special occasions, a shorter wrapover skirt called ‘Ntshak’ was also used. For gatherings, dances, as a sign of a widow, and - as is presently the case - for burials. A ‘Ntshak’ always consists of a border on three sides and a centrepiece called ‘Mbom’. By this ‘Mbom’ one can tell the current purpose of the garment. In the case of the present wrapover skirt 'Ntshak' the border is made up of very fine tringle-squares and jagged bands, made out of the fibres the raffia palm, and the inner surface, the 'Mbom', consists of many small triangles (from white and black-dyed bark fabric) sewn together. This black and white bark pattern distinguishes the skirt as a mourning ‘Ntshak’! It was only worn at funerals or placed alternatively in the grave of the deceased. Framed under glass. Dimensions: 142 cm x 62 cm. Late 19th century to early 20th century. (ME)
Provenance:
Austrian Private Collection.
Lit.:
'African Textiles' by John Gillow, ill. p. 202.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art - Africa |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 09.06.2016 - 17:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 04.06. - 09.06.2016 |