Ceremonial Pipe – Wood- Mangbetu- Congo

Stylistic well carved wooden pipe from the Mangbetu people of DR Congo. The detailed sculpture is surrounded by 4 Mangebetu children figures.

The art of the northern savanna is associated with the sumptuous royal courts of the Mangbetu peoples. At its height during the second half of the nineteenth century, Mangbetu aristocrats surrounded themselves with a wide variety of finely crafted boxes, jars, stools, pipes, musical instruments and weapons. This distinctive tradition of anthropomorphic sculpture developed around 1900. Although such forms predate the colonial presence, European patrons greatly increased the demand for them.
Pipes adorned with such elaborately carved tobacco bowls were the prerogative of the Mangbetu ruling aristocracy.

Provenance: Manfred Schäfer collection, ex- gallery owner from Ulm, Germany.

Including professional custom made stand.