EKONDA HAT, BOTOLO
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 20TH CENTURY
£340
African & Oceanic Art and Antiquities
Auction: 1 May 2019 from 12:00 BST
Description
cane fibre, woven in a pagoda shape with a series of seven brims, adorned with a copper disc projected from the base
Dimensions
30cm tall
Footnote
Provenance:
Private collection, London
Note:
Hats of this style were a key element of an Ekonda chief's dress, worn during ceremonies and religoius festivals as a symbol of prestige. As revered items they were preserved and passed down through the generations of a chiefly line. They were kept with considerable care and treated with oil and powders prior to ceremonies.