Kwele, Middle Congo, Gabon/Republic of Congo,... Lot 17

Kwele, Middle Congo, Gabon/Republic of Congo, 1st third of the 20th century Two chieftaincy drums made of a vertical cylindrical case on which a skin was fixed by wooden pegs. The resonance box of one of the drums is engraved with a motif in the shape of a sea anchor evoking the primitive currency "Mandjong" which was used by the Kwélé as a unit of value in the colonial context. Carved hardwood, polychrome pigments, patina of use. Height 118 and 119 cm. (slight erosions and small missing pieces) Provenance : Collected in-situ by Fernand OLIVEDA, Knight of the Legion of Honor and Chief Administrator of the colonies from 1888 to 1930 (Madagascar, Senegal, Congo). In 1925, he was Chief of the Secretariat of the General Governor of the Middle Congo.