{"title":"Masterpieces","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"drum","title":"Baga Ceremonial Drum","description":"\u003cp\u003eSouthern Guinea\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA composite ceremonial drum of vertical ambition, the body raised on a figured support of structural and sculptural complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDescription\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA ceremonial drum of the Baga, of composite vertical construction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe drum body is cylindrical, raised on a latticed support of four curved ribs. A band of rectilinear panels encircles the waist; the skin head is secured by lashing and set with wooden tension pegs spaced around the rim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe support rests on a circular collar bearing four outward-facing heads in profile. Below, a standing male figure carries the structure; a crossed bandolier runs across the torso, with incised detail at chest and waist. The figure stands on a plain rectangular base. A kneeling female figure with a standing child is integrated into the base composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePatina is dense and stable, deepest across the drum body and contact surfaces, with lighter wear to the carved figures consistent with differential handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eContext\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the Baga, drums of this type structure collective performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the Felice Maffei Collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired in Ivory Coast, 1971.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailable on private enquiry.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"OriginalTribalArts.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52039456194903,"sku":null,"price":5000000.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/8600\/5591\/files\/DSC_9588_ba16883d-c1bf-46ec-a445-9522c7bb4363.jpg?v=1764741526"},{"product_id":"maternity-statue","title":"Maternity Figure","description":"\u003cp\u003eDemocratic Republic of Congo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standing maternity figure of monumental scale, the surface worked in dense geometric patterning from crown to base without interruption.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDescription\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standing maternity figure of the Luluwa, of monumental scale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe head is large and forward-set, with a prominent brow, deeply carved eyes with red pigment at the inner corners, and a short horizontal mouth. A topknot rises from the crown; the face and skull carry dense incised patterning in black and red-ochre — chevrons, lozenges, crosshatching, and concentric circles — extending without break from hairline to jaw.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe neck is ringed; the shoulders broad and squared. Surface patterning continues across the chest, torso, arms, and legs in the same geometric vocabulary, applied with consistent density across all visible faces. The breasts are prominent. A child figure is held horizontally across the lower torso, cradled in both arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe legs are columnar; the feet broad and block-form, set on a plain rectangular base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePigment — black and red-ochre — is retained throughout, heaviest within recessed carving and reduced at exposed surfaces through handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eContext\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the Luluwa, figures of this type are associated with ideals of physical and social wellbeing transmitted through lineage. The surface patterning corresponds to forms of body modification marking status and identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the Felice Maffei Collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired in Congo, 1985.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailable on private enquiry.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"OriginalTribalArts.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52045348864343,"sku":null,"price":21000000.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/8600\/5591\/files\/DSC_9563-Modifica.jpg?v=1761791844"},{"product_id":"baga-nimba-mask","title":"Baga Nimba Mask","description":"\u003cp\u003eGuinea\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA monumental Baga Nimba shoulder mask of strong horizontal projection and sculptural authority.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDescription\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA shoulder mask of the Baga, carried on four columnar legs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dominant axis is horizontal: the head projects forward and reads in profile. The brow overhangs; the nose descends in a continuous curve; the mouth is small and closed. A red inset marks the eye. Red tassels hang at chin and cheek; further tassels suspend from metal loops at the ears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the crown, a fan crest rises in concentric ridged bands divided by a central chevron channel; the serrated edge is threaded with brown metal rings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe neck is columnar, worked in vertical and dotted relief. The body forms a broad closed dome with pendant breasts; the surface carries a crosshatched panel and repeating lozenge motifs. Four plain legs form the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePatina is dense and stable throughout, with exposed wood at crest edges, leg bases, and areas of contact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eContext\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the Baga, Nimba masks function as shoulder structures. The dancer performs concealed beneath the body mass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the Felice Maffei Collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired in Ivory Coast (Bouaké region), 1971.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailable on private enquiry.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"OriginalTribalArts.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52045349323095,"sku":null,"price":3000000.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/8600\/5591\/files\/DSC_9536.jpg?v=1761796171"}],"url":"https:\/\/originaltribalarts.com\/collections\/masterpieces.oembed","provider":"OriginalTribalArts.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}