The following items will be for sale at the Anansi 14th Annual Auction to be held at the Mt. Baker Theater on May 12, 2018 beginning at 5:30 p.m. To buy on line or for more information about these items contact roekathryn@gmail.com before May 10.
Yacouba Dancing Figures
These small brightly dressed and colored figures are of the Yacuba people. Dance is universally employed in all African cultures. Typically it is an expression of a specific story and allows for the expression of the full gamut of emotions of the human experience. $35 each
Whisks
These fly whisks are used with burning incense to remove evil spirits from a house. A ruler often carries a fly whisk as an emblem of status. The hair is horse hair and is tied to a leather wrapped handle. $15 each
Cotton Handbags
Hand made cloth bags with zipper pockets inside and out of individually quilted fabric pieces. Each unique and brillant in design. $20
Ashanti Fertility Doll
Ashanti fertility dolls are one of the most identifiable forms of African Sculpture. Pregnant women carry these figures to ensure the beauty and health of their babies. The large disc head and abstracted features convey the stylized ideal of Ashanti beauty. $60
Awooley Board Game
This awooley board game, here carved with an elephant on the lid, is a modern board for an ancient game dating back thousands of years. Pits for playing were found in the Egyptian tombs in Luxor and Thebes. Known by slightly different names in different regions, it is a count and capture game. There are in fact more than 200 versions of this game, played throughout Africa, all with slightly different rules. $55
Baule Mask
This beautiful Baulé kpwan mask is from the cult of Goli in Côte d’Ivoire. The features of this mask exemplify the Baule attention to detail in their exquisite carvings. $250
Bolgatanga Baskets From Ghana
These lovely baskets, three of many that are seen in markets hosting African imports, are wonderful ways to carry or store almost anything from food stuff at the farmers market to surplus towels in the bathroom. $50 each
Brass Music Man
This brass figure playing the xylophone is a charming figure made using the lost wax method. It may have been made for export or used as a standarized weight on a scale to measure gold. These figures can be seen in the African collections in many museums around the world. $95
Bolgatanga Blue Dress
This heavy cotton “fits all” garment is a beautiful blue indigo color. $45
Baule Spirit Spouse
The Baule of Cote d’Ivoire believe in a parallel spirit world. Historically these sculptures were kept and tended in the home to create tranquil family relations. This small male figure is a modern interpretation of an old tradition. The rotund man reflects the success he is experiencing in his life and should help insure that for the man of the household in our current world. $110
Rectangular Cotton Batik Tablecloth
This blue and green rectangular cloth is 90 inches by 62 inches with eight napkins. Made from heavy cotton fabric, the central area has a figure of women carrying a large load on her head. The napkins have an abstract shape that is also found in the cloth border. The quality of the batik in Cote d’Ivoire surpasses that of most other African countries and does not seem to be available outside of West Africa. $130
Round Cotton Batik Tablecloth
This heavy batik purple and blue fabric tablecloth from Cote d’Ivoire is 70 inches in diameter and comes with eight napkins. The central area has a fish motif which is repeated on each of 8 napkins. The quality of the batik in Cote d’Ivoire surpasses that of most other African countries and does not seem to be available outside of West Africa. $110 SOLD
Blue Cotton Summer Dress
This full length dress made of light weight cotton has an elastic waist area that tends to make it fit easily. It will look best on a woman who wears a size 8 to 12. $35
Orange Cotton Dress
This full length dress made of light weight cotton has an elastic waist area that tends to make it fit easily. It will look best on a woman who wears a size 8 to 12. $35
Carved Wooden Elephant
This relatively large carving of an elephant is a lively representation of a universally appealing form. The recognized majesty of the animal is a symbol of all Africa. $125
Nativity Scene
This hand carved Nativity scene features 11 figures all gathered to celebrate the arrival of the Christ child. Each figure is carved of a single piece of wood and its durability allows for the easy interactive devotion of the young. $150
Large and small Butterflys
Artists are naturally drawn to the flora and fauna that surround them. The tropical climate of West Africa is home to many beautiful butterfly species that inspired this stylized colorful rendition in wood. 18″- $35, 7.5”- $20
Leopard Skin Cotton Dress
This cotton skirt and top were made by a seamstress in Grand Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire. It is about a size 10. $50
Blue Bird Fabric
In West Africa many fabric motifs carry a meaning. This fabric means “My money flies away like a bird.” Six yards of this fabric would be sufficient to make table cloths, placemats, bedspread, curtains or clothing. $100
Orange/Blue Fabric
Six yards of this vibrant GTP cotton fabric, made in Ghana, can be used to make table cloths, placemats, bedspread, curtains or clothing. $60
Musical Instrument
This small portable gourd finger instrument, known as a finger harp or thumb piano, can provide entertainment for young or old. $12
Comb
Hair and grooming have always played an important role in the cultures of Africa. In many African societies, ancient and modern, the hair comb symbolises status, group affiliation, and religious beliefs, and is encoded with ritual properties. The handles of combs are often decorated with objects of status, such as the human figures shown here, and motifs that reference nature and the traditional spiritual world. $30
Teal Scarf/Shawl
A beautiful teal scarf/shawl with a floral woodblock of highly contrasting chartreuse. $25
Kente Cloth
Kente cloth is a Ghanaian textile that is traditionally linked with royalty, especially among the Ashanti and the Ewe peoples. Kente is woven as similar sized narrow strips, which are joined to form a large piece of cloth. These beautiful fabrics are wrapped and draped into the ceremonial garb of the chieftains and are still seen and worn for state and other important functions around the world. Today both men and women wear Kente cloths at very special occasions or celebrations. 66 inches by 51 inches, $125
Mud Cloth Dress
This heavy garment made in the north of Ghana can be worn by a man or woman. It is a “One size fits all” item. $70
Rectangular Batik Tablecloth
This heavy red and yellow batik tablecloth is 88 inches by 56 inches. The central area is painted with female figures making fufu shown with palm trees and small huts. The quality of the batik in Cote d’Ivoire surpasses that of most other African countries and does not seem to be available outside of West Africa. $115
Purple/Green Batik Tablecloth
This heavy batik fabric tablecloth from Cote d’Ivoire is 90 inches by 62 inches. The central area has a large triangular motif with fish as well as fish on the deep border and on each of 8 napkin. The quality of the batik in Cote d’Ivoire surpasses that of most other African countries and does not seem to be available outside of West Africa. $130
Red Necklace with Brass Beads
This necklace consists of multi strands of small red seed beads with three large old brass filigree beads. 26 inches $25 SOLD
There will be more jewelry, one more Nativity Scene and a few more items at the Auction on May 12, 2018 at the Mt. Baker Theater in the Encore Room at 5:30 p.m.