Webb’s New Zealand: Art of Africa, Oceania (and the Americas), 14 September 2013
New Zealand’s premier auctioneers, Webb’s in Auckland, are to sell a diverse range of tribal and Oceanic art on Saturday 14 September, 2013. The sale includes a large array of items from the cultures of Africa, Aotearoa, Australia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and the Americas. Over 340 lots are to be sold including a brown kiwi Maori feather cloak from the 19th century (lot 71), a beaded Yoruba crown (lot 21), and perhaps surprisingly, a Navajo pictorial ‘Yei’ rug (lot 312), and a Kurdish flatwoven tent divider (lot 296).
Important Oceanic & African Art, 14 September 2013, Webb’s, Auckland
Lot 21, Yoruba beaded crown, Nigeria, L.270mm, W.250mm. Estimate NZ$2,500 – 3,500
Yoruba rulers wear crowns on State occasions and during public functions. A built-up, hollowed, cup-shaped base with raised facial features and animal form standing above; the crown is then embellished over the entire surface with multi-coloured beads.
Lot 50, Important Oceanic & African Art, 14 September 2013, Webb’s, Auckland
Whalebone Kotiate (Short hand club), H.300mm, W.121mm. NZ$4,000 – 6,000
Carved in a formal manner, the symmetrical blade reflects the work of a master carver. Legend has it that a chief carrying such weapon would often challenge the opposing chief to a single combat. The first to achieve three blows won the duel and often the war.
Important Oceanic & African Art, 14 September 2013, Webb’s, Auckland
Lot 66, Kete Muka kiwi, L.220mm, W.190mm. Estimate NZ$3,000 – 5,000
Double pair twining with kiwi feathers attached on every second aho (weft). Thought to have originated in the Raglan area.
Important Oceanic & African Art, 14 September 2013, Webb’s, Auckland
Lot 71, Feather cloak, H.840mm, W.949mm. Estimate NZ$20,000 – 40,000
A Maori kahu kiwi feather cloak from the 19th century. The cloak is adorned with mature brown kiwi feathers, in orthodox style.
Important Oceanic & African Art, 14 September 2013, Webb’s, Auckland
Lot 109, Hei Tiki Pounamu, H.94mm, W.52mm. NZ$2,500 – 4,500
In orthodox form with head tilting to the left, hands resting on knees. Red sealing wax in the eyes.
Important Oceanic & African Art, 14 September 2013, Webb’s, Auckland
Lot 132, Austral Island paddle, H.820mm, W.172mm. Estimate NZ$3,000 – 5,000.
Paddle blade of leaf shaped form with a long cylindrical shaft. Intricately carved with low relief and an elaborate design of interlocking geometric patterns. Carving to the top of the handle reveals abstracted human figures with protruding faces.
Important Oceanic & African Art, 14 September 2013, Webb’s, Auckland
Lot 296, Kurdish flatwoven tent divider, L.3000mm, W.410mm. Estimate NZ$1,500 – 2,500
Entirely covered with embroidered geometric linear and figural designs. Depicting camels, humans, horses and butterflies rarely seen on these weavings. Kurdish tribe near Mashhad, Northeast Iran.
Important Oceanic & African Art, 14 September 2013, Webb’s, Auckland
Lot 312, Navajo rug, Arizona, USA. Natural dyes, L.1450mm, W.970mm. Estimate NZ$3,000 – 5,000
Yei spirit on a bow. Arrows and eagle feathers border the figure.
