συγχρονα εργα τεχνης,δεν θα μπορουσα να τα φορεσω ,χωρις να νοιωθω "τυψεις" οτι μπορει να "τραυματισω".ενα τοσο ιδιαιτερο ρολοι,ενα ρολοι που ειναι για μια ιδιωτικη συλλογη .αποτελει μια "επιδειξη " ικανοτητων...να δουμε ομως και το τελευταιο
AFRICA - GABON
Ngontang Mask
Western Gabon, Fang people
Soft wood covered with white kaolin, specks of crystallisation
Height: 31 cm
Inv. 1019-76
The line of my nose extending between the eyebrows on my forehead and on the other side to my chin across my mouth is like an arrow fired by a bow towards the celestial heights beyond the clouds
or naturally the bird into which your soul changes
Michel Butor
The sobriety of this white mask, with its melancholic air and o-shaped mouth, shows the sculptor’s remarkable sensitivity. It is covered with white kaolin, a colour that for the Fang, as for many other African tribes, referred to the spirit of the dead. The expressive power of the face is produced by the vertical line suggesting the nose as well as the scarifications from the chin to the forehead and from which two welldefined, curved eyebrows branch out. This mask was used in a ritual dance linked to the Byeri’s cult of ancestor worship. Although its use did not have any particularly religious significance, the initiated dancer had to respect certain ritual gestures and taboos. These dances were intended to protect the village from witchcraft and evil influences.
Technical Data
The third Metiers d’Art “Les Masques” set is a limited edition of 25 boxes, each containing four timepieces representing four different continents (the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania), for a total of 100 individual pieces.
Movement for all of them is the automatic Vacheron caliber VC 2460 G4, with 27 jewels, beating at 28,800 bph and with a power reserve of 40 hours. It is stamped with the Geneva Seal. Functions are displayed in 4 windows on the case rim: hours, minutes, day and date.
The case measures 40mm, has an AR-coated sapphire crystal and sapphire display back. They are water resistant to 30 meters. The strap is alligator with either gold or platinum folding clasp with the Half Maltese Cross motif.