Ngbaka Pipe

A spectacular Ngbaka anthropomorphic pipe, serving as a masterful testament to the art of tobacco in Central Africa. Carved from wood with a deep patina and enhanced by coiled metal wire, it stands out for the elegance of its slender silhouette and the expressive power of its female head. The delicate ornaments of the coiffure, the long metal-sheathed neck, and the conical bowl entirely clad in aluminum denote a luxury of detail, underscoring the high social rank of its former owner.

The exceptional nature of this work lies in its rare integrity. The pipe has indeed retained all of its original constituent elements: its chain, spoon, and metallic mesh. As these accessories have almost systematically disappeared on other known examples, this completeness allows the object to be appreciated in its original configuration—a remarkably rare occurrence for a piece that has seen intense ritual and daily use.

The historical importance of this specimen is further supported by a famous 1930 photograph by Casimir Ostoja-Zagórski. This iconic archival image (reproduced in Rund um Tabakspfeifen, 1992, p. 33) depicts two Ngbaka notables smoking similar pipes, easily identifiable by their rich metallic adornments. An archetype of the art from the north of the former Zaire, the present piece constitutes a precious material testament to this typology, preserved here in truly museum-quality condition.

Date
Late 19th - early 20th century.

Provenance
Philippe Laermans Gallery (Parcours des Mondes, Paris, 2014).
Philippe Laermans Gallery (Bruneaf Winter, Brussels, 2016).
Pierre Dartevelle Gallery (BRAFA, Brussels, 2018).

Literature
MILDNER-SPINDLER, Roma (dir.). Rund um Tabakspfeifen. Berlin: Museum für Völkerkunde, 1992, p. 33.

Condition
Museum quality (preserved with all its original accessories).

Dimensions
Height: 36 cm (base included).