Unknown
Mpungi (Trumpet) with Anthropomorphic Figure19th-early 20th century

On view:

Geffen Galleries

Artist or Maker: Unknown
Title: Mpungi (Trumpet) with Anthropomorphic Figure
Culture: Yombe artist
Place Made: Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date Made: 19th-early 20th century
Medium: Ivory
Dimensions: 17 3/8 × 3 × 1 3/4 in. (44.13 × 7.62 × 4.45 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Lee and Bob Bronson
Accession Number: AC1994.203.4
Classification: Tools and Equipment
Collecting Area: African Art
Curatorial Notes: This ivory handle would have been held by a person of high rank as a symbol of dignity. Wearing a tall European hat of an earlier era, the figure kneels and gestures to the abdomen. Parallel lines of scarification mark the cheeks. The patination and color of the ivory indicate extensive use.

Provenance

Acquired in Kinshasa by Jacques Hautelet (b. 1931, Belgium–d. 2014 La Jolla, California), sold to; Lee (1932–2020, Los Angeles) and Dona (1943–1986) Bronson, by descent to Lee and Bob Bronson, gifted 1994 to; LACMA.

On view:

Geffen Galleries

Artist or Maker: Unknown
Title: Mpungi (Trumpet) with Anthropomorphic Figure
Culture: Yombe artist
Place Made: Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date Made: 19th-early 20th century
Medium: Ivory
Dimensions: 17 3/8 × 3 × 1 3/4 in. (44.13 × 7.62 × 4.45 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Lee and Bob Bronson
Accession Number: AC1994.203.4
Classification: Tools and Equipment
Collecting Area: African Art
Curatorial Notes: This ivory handle would have been held by a person of high rank as a symbol of dignity. Wearing a tall European hat of an earlier era, the figure kneels and gestures to the abdomen. Parallel lines of scarification mark the cheeks. The patination and color of the ivory indicate extensive use.

Provenance

Acquired in Kinshasa by Jacques Hautelet (b. 1931, Belgium–d. 2014 La Jolla, California), sold to; Lee (1932–2020, Los Angeles) and Dona (1943–1986) Bronson, by descent to Lee and Bob Bronson, gifted 1994 to; LACMA.