Lot 0223

Rare 19th C. Lega Bwami Carved Elephant Bone Figure

Similar Sale History

View More Items in Tribal & Native American Artifacts

Sold

West African monkey skull shrine figure: West African monkey skull shrine figure, Late 19th/20th c., possibly Lega Peoples, carved wood, copper wire, natural materials, on later wood stand, 18"h x 5"w x 4.75"d Provenance: Estate of Distingui

2022West African monkey skull shrine figureSee Sold Price

Sold

A LATE 19TH CENTURY AFRICAN CARVED FIGURE with mon: A LATE 19TH CENTURY AFRICAN CARVED FIGURE with monkey skull head on stained wooden body - 39cm high

2020A LATE 19TH CENTURY AFRICAN CARVED FIGURE with monSee Sold Price

Sold

Exceedingly Rare 19th Century Benin Royal Wood Staff: A very rare mid 19th century carved wooden royal staff with image of the Oba, the traditional ruler of the Benin with ornate scalloped and linear designs, encrusted surface. Benin peoples, Benin, Afri

2021Exceedingly Rare 19th Century Benin Royal Wood StaffSee Sold Price

Sold

A VERY RARE 19TH CENTURY SOUTH AFRICAN CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN ZULU KNOBKERRIE probably from a black: A VERY RARE 19TH CENTURY SOUTH AFRICAN CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN ZULU KNOBKERRIE probably from a black rhinoceros of the Kenyan Amboseli National park in Kenya, the species now extinct and known for long

2022A VERY RARE 19TH CENTURY SOUTH AFRICAN CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN ZULU KNOBKERRIE probably from a blackSee Sold Price

Sold

A 19TH CENTURY AFRICAN CARVED TRIBAL FIGURE 46cm high: A 19TH CENTURY AFRICAN CARVED TRIBAL FIGURE 46cm high

2021A 19TH CENTURY AFRICAN CARVED TRIBAL FIGURE 46cm highSee Sold Price

Sold

Yaka Mbwoolo Figure African Art, 19th C. Democratic Republic of Congo: Yaka Mbwoolo Figure African Art, 19th C. DRC. Carved wood figure had polished head with hat, hollow body toÂ enable insertion of magical healing materials, and wrapped adornments ofÂ

2023Yaka Mbwoolo Figure African Art, 19th C. Democratic Republic of CongoSee Sold Price

Sold

Late 19thC Bakongo Ancestor Figure Carved Wood African Tribal Statue, DRC: Ca. late 19thC. Bankongo ancestor figure, Democratic Republic of Congo. Very good with age appropriate wear, including head gear, and glass eyes. Ex-colonial collection Louvain, Leuven Belgium. Ex-Tad

2023Late 19thC Bakongo Ancestor Figure Carved Wood African Tribal Statue, DRCSee Sold Price

Sold

African Igbo Ancestor Figure, Nigeria, 19th century: African Igbo Ancestor Figure, Nigeria, 19th Century. Carved wood and paint. On stand. Provenance: ex Jacques Kerchache, Paris; Ex Ana and Antonio Casanovas, Spain. Size: 61'' x 12'' x 11.5'' (155 x 30

2020African Igbo Ancestor Figure, Nigeria, 19th centurySee Sold Price

Sold

Fine African Kongo Fetish Figure, DRC, Late 19th C.: Fine African Kongo Mirrored Fetish Figure, DRC, late 19th century. Carved wood. Provenance: The Miles and Shirley Fiterman Collection, Minneapolis, MN. Size: 8.75'' x 4'' x 2.75'' (22 x 10 x 7 cm); He

2020Fine African Kongo Fetish Figure, DRC, Late 19th C.See Sold Price

Sold

Late 19th C. African Chamba Wood Figure: West Africa, Nigeria/Cameroon border, Chamba, ca. late 19th century CE. An intriguing hand-carved wooden figure of an androgynous figure or idol. Scholars believe renditions like this example were use

2021Late 19th C. African Chamba Wood FigureSee Sold Price

Sold

Antique Carved African Figure Rattler 19th Century: Antique Carved African Figure 19th Century Plus Shells. Measure 12" Tall. This item and many more forthcoming are from the estate of a true antiquity connoisseur in every sense of the word. This antiq

2022Antique Carved African Figure Rattler 19th CenturySee Sold Price

Sold

19TH C. AFRICAN TORTOISESHELL MASK: Lega, Bwami Culture, Congo, having cast bronze plaque appliques of spider at top and two-headed snake at bottom, bronze nose bridge and cowrie shell trim, set by tar, roughly 30" x 24" x 6". Good cond

201919TH C. AFRICAN TORTOISESHELL MASKSee Sold Price

Sold

A Fine Pipe from Sierra Leone collected in 19th Century: A very finely carved wooden Pipe Bowl with decorative figures carved in relief. The Pipe measures 6.5 x 2.5 inches ( 8.5 inches tall on custom display stand.) Provenance: Ex. Wally & Brenda Zollman, I

2020A Fine Pipe from Sierra Leone collected in 19th CenturySee Sold Price

Sold

African Teke Bulti Power Figure: African Tribal Art: Teke people (Bateke), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa: Bulti Bonga (Power Figure) Late 19th Century (Circa 1875). Carved wood, wax, natural pigments and unknown materials.

2022African Teke Bulti Power FigureSee Sold Price

Sold

2023African Teke Bulti Power FigureSee Sold Price

Sold

African Hemba Kabeja, Janus Figure, DRC, 19th/20th C.: African Hemba Kabeja, Janus Figure, DRC, 19th/20th C. Hand carved wood sculpture on base. Ex Berman Gallery, New York, 1970s. Size: 12.75'' x 4.5'' x 5.5'' (32 x 11 x 14 cm); Height on base: 14'' (36

2023African Hemba Kabeja, Janus Figure, DRC, 19th/20th C.See Sold Price

Related Tribal & Native American Artifacts

A Rare 19th century Batak Mortar with Singha Lion Motif: A very rare 19th century carved wooden medicine mortar with dramatic Sigha Lion head on the side and tail on the other side that act as handles, with signs of field use over generations. A rare find.

May 25, 2024A Rare 19th century Batak Mortar with Singha Lion Motif

$50

Old Tuareg Tent Post stake: This is a very old, possibly 19th century wooden stake with carved and incised designs and spectacular form. Tuareg nomadic peoples, Niger / Sahara Desert, West Africa. This old tent stake measures 30

May 25, 2024Old Tuareg Tent Post stake

$50

Original New Guinea Item, Carved Figure: ""Original New Guinea item from the R.C. Brictson Museum collection. Exhibited at the San Diego Museum of Man, as well as other venues. Addressed directly by R.C. Brictson in his lecture cir

4 days LeftOriginal New Guinea Item, Carved Figure

$200

Baule - Bete Male Ancestor Figure - African Early 20th Century: Old African carved wooden figure, Baule - Bete. Ivory Coast. Late 19th - Early 20th Century. Tribally-used male ancestor figure with prominent scarifications and a strong presence. The face carved in

May 26, 2024Baule - Bete Male Ancestor Figure - African Early 20th Century

$600

Lower Sepik River PNG Ancestor Figure: Lower Sepik River carved wood ancestor figure. Papua New Guinea, 19th - Early 20th century. Standing on a pedestal, with a long nose or beak extending into the stomach and hands at its sides. Wearing

May 26, 2024Lower Sepik River PNG Ancestor Figure

$180

Lobi Ancestor Figure - African 19th-20th Century: Fine old Classical Lobi carved wood ancestor figure. Ghana. 19th or early 20th century. Mounted on a black painted wood display stand. An early example. HEIGHT (figure, unmounted): 17 1/2” (44.5

May 26, 2024Lobi Ancestor Figure - African 19th-20th Century

$240

Fon Brass Figure on Wood Throne - African 19th-20th Century: Fine old Fon - Benin brass and wood sculpture of a man, probably a King or important personage, on a raised throne. Lost wax cast brass, punched sheet brass and craved wood. Late 19th or early 20th ce

May 26, 2024Fon Brass Figure on Wood Throne - African 19th-20th Century

$350

Gabon 1950 Old Tribal Fang people Reliquary Head Figure 1 Kg. – 33x14x11 cm.: Gabon. 1950 circa. Old Tribal Fang people Reliquary Head Figure. Decorated with brass ornaments. Extremely rare. 1 Kg. – 33x14x11 cm. The Fang people, also known as Fãn or Pahouin, are a Central Af

Jun 02, 2024Gabon 1950 Old Tribal Fang people Reliquary Head Figure 1 Kg. – 33x14x11 cm.

€500

CARVED ELEPHANT MASK BAULE' Ivory coast 69cm: Ivory coast. Baulè people. Elephant mask. 2164 gr. (75,7 oz) 69x30x20 cm (27x11,7x7,8 inch). Ex. GUEYE MUSTAPHA COLLECTION. The Baule are one of the Akan peoples. They moved west to the Ivory Coast m

Jun 02, 2024CARVED ELEPHANT MASK BAULE' Ivory coast 69cm

€250

Guinea 1960 Carved Wood Fang Mask 32cm: Equatorial Guinea or Gabon, Western Coast, Africa. 1960 AD. Rare Primitive Carved Wood Fang Mask. NGONGTANG mask. 660 gr. – 32x20x16cm. Fang masks had a significant influence on early 20th Century a

Jun 02, 2024Guinea 1960 Carved Wood Fang Mask 32cm

€130

Papua New Guinea and Oceanic Assortment: Papua New Guinea and Oceanic Assortment (7) items including a painted carved wood figural rafter hook having cowrie shell decoration, an oval wood bowl having carved crocodile head handles, a small re

5 days LeftPapua New Guinea and Oceanic Assortment

$150

Mali Dogon 1950 Rare Fetish horseman figure 1,3 kg. - 55x37x14 cm: Mali. Dogon people. 1950 circa. Fetish horseman figure. Decorated with cords, fabric and animal fur. Very rare. 1,3 kg. - 55x37x14 cm. It depicts a hogon, the supreme officeholder, a semi-divine leade

Jun 02, 2024Mali Dogon 1950 Rare Fetish horseman figure 1,3 kg. - 55x37x14 cm

€300

Ewe Venavi Figures - African Mid 20th Century: Pair of African carved wooden Venavi figures. Ewe People, Togo or Ghana. Early to mid 20th century. Authentic and tribally-used. One male figure and one female figure, both with painted details. Proba

May 26, 2024Ewe Venavi Figures - African Mid 20th Century

$80

A Classic Hopi Polychromed Wood Kachina Doll: A classic old Hopi Kachina, depicting Hano Mani (Long-Haired Kachina Maiden) or Hahai-I Wu-Uti (Kachina Mother). Late 19th or early 20th century. Carved wood and painted pigments. The mother wearing t

May 26, 2024A Classic Hopi Polychromed Wood Kachina Doll

$900

Congo Bayaka Handcarved wooden Fetish figure 40cm: Congo. 1970 circa. Bayaka people. Handcarved wooden Fetish figure decorated with shell, leather and cord. 704 gr. - 40x7x9 cm. Rare

Jun 02, 2024Congo Bayaka Handcarved wooden Fetish figure 40cm

€120

A Mende Janus Heddle Pulley: A relatively rare example of a weaving heddle pulley, featuring janus form faces on either side, carved coiffure, ringed neck to show prestige and a well handled surface. Mende Peoples, Sierra leone,

May 25, 2024A Mende Janus Heddle Pulley

$50

More Items in African Tribal & Native American Artifacts

A Baule Male Ancestor Sculpture: A finely carved male effigy with stylized form, long carved coiffure, hand to beard/chin, shown seated on a tortoise. Overall a wonderful example with elongated form. Baule peoples, Ivory Coast, West

May 25, 2024A Baule Male Ancestor Sculpture

$50

African Mask and Wood Sculpture Assortment: African Mask and Wood Sculpture Assortment (13) total items, mostly West African, including a large Luba female figure, a Mangbetu fetish figure, (2) figures mounted to wood wall brackets including a

5 days LeftAfrican Mask and Wood Sculpture Assortment

$100

African Wood Sculpture Assortment: African Wood Sculpture Assortment (4) total items including an Igbo white painted seated female, a Kongo / Yombe Nkisi nail fetish and a small Teke figure having attached feathers; together with a Men

5 days LeftAfrican Wood Sculpture Assortment

$200

African Decorative Art Assortment: African Decorative Art Assortment (11) items including a Tuareg leather tent curtain panel, an Ethiopian shawl, human and antelope hand puppets from Mali, a Kuba gourd pipe on stand, a Baule hand loom

5 days LeftAfrican Decorative Art Assortment

$200

Old Igbo Incised Currency Coil: Old and weathered heavy bronze currency coil with incised designs and well handled surface, obvious handling and wear. This solid bronze coil was used by many ethnic groups throughout southeastern Nig

May 25, 2024Old Igbo Incised Currency Coil

$50

May 25, 2024A Mende Janus Heddle Pulley

$50

Sao Equestrian Bronze Sculpture: Antique cast bronze sculpture of a Horse and Rider from the Sao Sokoto culture peoples of Chad, West Africa. The equestrian sculpture features a warrior on horseback with a bow quiver on his back, oxi

May 25, 2024Sao Equestrian Bronze Sculpture

$50

A Wonderful Old Tanzanian Stool: A carved wooden stool with stylized geometric central support, very well handled surface and tribal repair with old hammered metal strip. The Stool measures 12.5 x 9 inches. Provenance: Ex Robert Bank

May 25, 2024A Wonderful Old Tanzanian Stool

$50

A Nyamwezi Gourd Vessel with Carved Ancestor stopper: A wonderful antique drinking vessel gourd with carved wooden lid featuring an ancestor head. The Gourd has a deep well handled surface patina suggesting many years of use. The Vessel measures 13 inche

May 25, 2024A Nyamwezi Gourd Vessel with Carved Ancestor stopper

$50

African Beadwork Assortment: African Beadwork Assortment (22) items including a South African beaded horse, (3) Yoruba belts, a Maasai collar necklace, a Maasai throwing club, a beaded panel, a shawl, an animal, a wood figurine h

5 days LeftAfrican Beadwork Assortment

$200

African Igbo Helmet Mask: African Igbo Helmet Mask Painted carved wood depicting a maiden spirit from Nigeria Property from: an Estate, Chicago (Gold Coast), Illinois Height: 25 inches, Width: 8 inches, Depth: 13 1/2 inches Co

5 days LeftAfrican Igbo Helmet Mask

$200

Old Baule Akan Shrine Stool for the Spirits: This is a old and very well used shrine object, a stool covered in organic offerings, multiple layers of sacrificial offerings to make this a worthy place of honor for the spirits. The Stool measures

May 25, 2024Old Baule Akan Shrine Stool for the Spirits

$50

May 25, 2024Old Tuareg Tent Post stake

$50

Old Samburu Mporro Marriage Necklace: A old intricate traditional necklace made from stiff animal hair, old beads and earthen dyed textiles. Mporro necklaces signify the married status of a woman. The wiry strands used to create this neck

May 25, 2024Old Samburu Mporro Marriage Necklace

$50

West African Painted Mask Assortment: West African Painted Mask Assortment (4) items including a Fang Ngil mask from Gabon, a Mossi bird helmet mask from Burkina Faso, a Tetela mask having feather attachments from the Democratic Republic

5 days LeftWest African Painted Mask Assortment

$150

African Chokwe Face Mask Assortment: African Chokwe Face Mask Assortment (3) items including (2) having netting and strung wood tube bead attachments Property from: an Estate, Chicago (Gold Coast), Illinois Height: 15 inches, Width: 8 1/

5 days LeftAfrican Chokwe Face Mask Assortment

$150

Recommended Art

Bunny Yeager - Photo of Bettie Page signed by Bettie Page circa 1970: 17x13 cm

3 days LeftBunny Yeager - Photo of Bettie Page signed by Bettie Page circa 1970

€125

Cole Weston (American 1919 – 2003) after Edward Weston (American 1886 – 1958): Cole Weston (American 1919 – 2003) after Edward Weston (American 1886 – 1958) “Nude, 1936”, 1984 Negative photograph print Signed and inscribed on verso “Negative by Edward Weston, print

4 days LeftCole Weston (American 1919 – 2003) after Edward Weston (American 1886 – 1958)

$1,400

Pablo Picasso Mixed Media Cubism: Pablo Ruiz Picasso (1881-1973) . Mixed Media on strong paper. Cubism. "Head of a Woman Reading" 1953 21 cm. x 29.7 cm. Signature of the artist top right Labels and stamps at the back for Picasso Museu

4 days LeftPablo Picasso Mixed Media Cubism

$550

Diego Rivera Signed Woman's Portrait Oil on Canvas: Diego Rivera (Mexican, 1886-1957) Signed, Portrait of a Seated Woman Knitting, circa first half of the twentieth century, signed lower right, carved gilt wood frame. Image: 39" H x 31" W; frame: 46.5"

5 days LeftDiego Rivera Signed Woman's Portrait Oil on Canvas

$1,400

Thomas deDecker (1951- ), Blooming Waterlilies: Thomas deDecker (1951- ) Blooming Waterlilies Medium: oil on board Dimensions: 12 x 16 Framed Dimensions: 18 1/5 x 22 1/8 x 2 Signature signed lower left: Thomas DeDecker verso: titled, signed and dat

4 days LeftThomas deDecker (1951- ), Blooming Waterlilies

$1,200

Ed Mell 1942 - 2024, Oil On Canvas Shadowed Walls: NOT ELIGIBLE FOR IN-HOUSE SHIPPING. DESCRIPTION: Shadowed Walls is a large oil painting (40" X 78") dated 1983. Paintings by Ed Mell ( AZ, USA) are in several museums and major private holdings includ

2 days LeftEd Mell 1942 - 2024, Oil On Canvas Shadowed Walls

$39,000

Jock Sturges - Robert Koch Gallery -Claire, Montalivet, 1990 - Signed by Jock Sturges: 13x15 inches on Baryta Paper- Studio 3d Seal - Low Corner Cut

3 days LeftJock Sturges - Robert Koch Gallery -Claire, Montalivet, 1990 - Signed by Jock Sturges

€350

Robert Angeloch (NY,1922-2011) oil painting: ARTIST: Robert Henry Angeloch (New York, 1922 - 2011) TITLE: Shore near Sheepford, Nantucket, MA (titled on verso) YEAR: 1994 MEDIUM: oil on board CONDITION: Minor scratches/paint losses. No visible i

5 days LeftRobert Angeloch (NY,1922-2011) oil painting

$220

Pablo Picasso Collection Domaine The Dream Limited Edition on canvas: The Dream Pablo Picasso Limited edition on canvas Custom framed. Estate signed. From the Collection Domaine Picasso. Includes certificate of authenticity. Custom framed Approx. image size 24 x 20 inch

4 days LeftPablo Picasso Collection Domaine The Dream Limited Edition on canvas

$205

Louisa McElwain Oil On Canvas: NOT ELIGIBLE FOR IN-HOUSE SHIPPING. DESCRIPTION: This large painting by Louisa McElwain "Song of the High Desert", 1999, is of her most popular subject, storms in the New Mexico desert. This one is re

2 days LeftLouisa McElwain Oil On Canvas

$5,000

Thomas deDecker (1951- ), Valley Sunset: Thomas deDecker (1951- ) Valley Sunset Medium: oil on board Dimensions: 8 x 10 Framed Dimensions: 14 1/8 x 16 1/8 x 1 7/8 Signature signed lower right: Thomas deDecker verso: titled, signed and dated

4 days LeftThomas deDecker (1951- ), Valley Sunset

$500

Original watercolor Salvador Dali: Watercolor and ink on Arches paper in the style of Salvador Dali Approx 30x26 inches custom framed Includes documentation

4 days LeftOriginal watercolor Salvador Dali

$950

Joan Miro Original Drawing ink on paper Hand signed 28x20 inches: Artist: Joan Miro (1893-1983)Technique: Watercolor and ink on paper.Title: Artistmeasures: 28x20 inchesHand signed on the front and backimportant private collectionObservations: It needs to be conditi

4 days LeftJoan Miro Original Drawing ink on paper Hand signed 28x20 inches

$6,900

Original oil on board by William Sonntag (1822-1900): Original oil on board by William Sonntag 1850 10x16 image size Includes provenance.

4 days LeftOriginal oil on board by William Sonntag (1822-1900)

$9,500

Max Le Verrier (1891-1973) Bronze Woman titled Lueur: A woman, holding a ball in her stretched arms, she leans back, balancing on her toes. The ball is made from onyx. She stands on a marble pedestal.This is one of the most iconic Art Deco statues, made

5 days LeftMax Le Verrier (1891-1973) Bronze Woman titled Lueur

$725

Pablo Picasso Drawing. Signed: 1969. Oil on heavy paper (Spanish on the back/Label Musee d'Orsay-Oleo sobre panel. Title Mosquetero con paloma. Style : Cubism Signature: Recto Top left Stamps at back for Musee d'Orsay 10" x 13"

4 days LeftPablo Picasso Drawing. Signed

$950

Rare 19th C. Lega Bwami Carved Elephant Bone Figure

Item Details

Description

**Originally Listed At $600**

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lega peoples, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. An massive figural carving made from a massive elephant bone, the hollow center is plugged with a hardened resin-like substance which may have sealed something special inside. The abstract figure is shown seated crossed legged with a child, a symbol of motherhood, femininity, and fertility. The Bwami is a religious cult, a semisecret organization for men and women to teach moral order, which are represented by carved figures and masks, visual aids to remember stories, proverbs, and ancestors. The highest-ranking members had carvings made from the best materials such as elephant ivory and bone which were kept in shrines. Size: 5" L x 3" W x 10.75" H (12.7 cm x 7.6 cm x 27.3 cm)

Parts from certain animal species may require an additional license upon import into another country due to legislation relating to endangered species and environmental conservation. If you are not sure whether CITES rules apply to your item, please see the CITES Appendices.

Provenance: private Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA collection; ex-Dr. Ortiz collection

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.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#181775

Condition

Chips and abrasions to surfaces, otherwise intact. Polished areas from age and touch, and brown patina.

Buyer's Premium

27.5%

Rare 19th C. Lega Bwami Carved Elephant Bone Figure

Name: Rare 19th C. Lega Bwami Carved Elephant Bone Figure
SKU: 176437103
Price: 340 USD
Availability: InStock

Estimate $700 - $1,050

See Sold Price

Starting Price $340

Sell a Similar Item

4 bidders are watching this item.

Shipping & Pickup Options

Item located in Louisville, CO, us

Offers In-House Shipping

Payment

Accepts seamless payments through LiveAuctioneers

Artemis Gallery

TOP RATED

Louisville, CO, United States

1,306 Reviews

7,927 Followers

Auction Curated By

Bob DodgeOwner/Executive Director, Antiquities & Pre-Columbian Art