Wie sind die Öffnungszeiten?

Dienstag 13:00 - 19:00 Mittwoch 13:00 - 19:00 Donnerstag 13:00 - 19:00 Freitag 13:00 - 19:00 Samstag 13:00 - 19:00

ZUBEK GALLERY

The ZUBEK GALLERY specialises in traditional
Arts from sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

30/08/2026

Our Masks Catalogue is now updated — 9 new masks added!

https://t1p.de/gu6lf

23/08/2026

Our new "Masks" catalogue – is now online!
https://t1p.de/gu6lf

14/08/2026

Teke Fe**sh Figure / D.R. Congo
estimated age: first half of the 20th century

The Teke in central Congo use these power figures, called ‘Biteki’, as magic protection especially against diseases, witchcraft and death.
They believe that the effective, ‘magic power’ of a ‘Biteki’ resides in its body. For this reason, these sculptures not only have a cavity for ‘magic substances’ in their abdominal area, but also a ‘magic ball’, called ‘Bilongo’, tied to their waist.
The ceremonial specialist of a Teke community (priests, soothsayers etc.) fills these ‘magic balls’ with ‘effective substances’ (plants, earth, objects etc.) and ties it around the ‘Biteki’ during ritual ceremonies. Then his power works.

H: 20,4 cm

Provenance:
Abla-Volta & Alain Lecomte, Paris
Nina & Henricus Simonis, Düsseldorf

Published:
Gerd Korinthenberg, Henricus Simonis (ed.), "Teke. Ritual Figures",
Cologne: Buchhandlung Walther und Frane König, 2022, page 25, 68, 69

12/08/2026

Asmat Shield (Jamasj), West Papua, Indonesia
mid. 20 century or older

H: 163 cm

Large, finely carved war shield of the Asmat people from West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya). Traditionally, such shields served both as protection in battle and as spiritual vessels embodying the ancestors of their warriors. Before a war or head-hunting expedition, newly carved shields were consecrated in a ceremony in which the spirit of a deceased ancestor was called from Safan, the realm of the dead, to enter the shield. The striking ornamental carvings symbolize strength, courage, and masculine power. Today, Asmat shields are regarded among the most important wooden artworks of Oceania.

Provenance:
Hans Kleyer Collection, Munich, Germany
(collected in situ during the 1960s–1970s)
Philipp Konzett, Vienna

11/08/2026

Asmat Shield (Jamasj), West Papua, Indonesia
mid. 20 century or older

H: 143 cm

Large, finely carved war shield of the Asmat people from West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya). Traditionally, such shields served both as protection in battle and as spiritual vessels embodying the ancestors of their warriors. Before a war or head-hunting expedition, newly carved shields were consecrated in a ceremony in which the spirit of a deceased ancestor was called from Safan, the realm of the dead, to enter the shield. The striking ornamental carvings symbolize strength, courage, and masculine power, with stylized motifs surrounding an abstract ancestral face in the upper section. Today, Asmat shields are regarded among the most important wooden artworks of Oceania.

Provenance:
Hans Kleyer Collection, Munich, Germany
(collected in situ during the 1960s–1970s)
Philipp Konzett, Vienna

09/08/2026

Asmat Shield (Jamasj), West Papua, Indonesia
mid. 20 century or older

H: 150 cm

Provenance:
Hans Kleyer Collection, Munich, Germany
(collected in situ during the 1960s–1970s)
Philipp Konzett, Vienna

Large, finely carved war shield of the Asmat people from West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya). Traditionally, such shields served both as protection in battle and as spiritual vessels embodying the ancestors of their warriors. Before a war or head-hunting expedition, newly carved shields were consecrated in a ceremony in which the spirit of a deceased ancestor was called from Safan, the realm of the dead, to enter the shield. The striking ornamental carvings symbolize strength, courage, and masculine power. Today, Asmat shields are regarded among the most important wooden artworks of Oceania.

08/08/2026

Asmat Drum
South Coast of West Papua (Irian Jaya)

early-mid 20t century

Height: 68 cm

Provenance:

Dr. Kleyer, Munich, Germany
(collected in situ during the 1960s)

This drum is an important example of the traditional art and spirituality of the Asmat culture. Drums hold a central mythological significance for the Asmat people: the mythical ancestor Fumeripits is said to have carved the first humans from wood and brought them to life by beating his drum.
The finely carved drum accompanied ceremonies and ritual songs. Characteristic are the richly decorated handles with depictions of ancestors and animal motifs. The carvings unite music, mythology, and the spiritual world of the Asmat people.

07/08/2026

Kom drum / Cameroon, Grasland, Northwest region
early 20th century

The decorated ceremonial drums of the Grasslands feature chalice-, barrel-, or cylindrical-shaped bodies. The skins are attached to the shells with nails. The carved drums are always played by hand and are primarily used in ritual ceremonies, especially at funerals and memorial events.
Drums like this one, adorned with anthropomorphic or zoomorphic figures, always belong to the entire community and are never the property of an individual.
A very old piece with a remarkable weathered patina.

H: 106 cm

Provenance:
German Privat Collection

05/08/2026

Asmat Drum / South Coast of West Papua (Irian Jaya)

early-mid 20t century

Height: 64 cm

Provenance:
Dr. Kleyer, Munich, Germany
(collected in situ during the 1960s)

This drum is an important example of the traditional art and spirituality of the Asmat culture. Drums hold a central mythological significance for the Asmat people: the mythical ancestor Fumeripits is said to have carved the first humans from wood and brought them to life by beating his drum.
The finely carved drum accompanied ceremonies and ritual songs. Characteristic are the richly decorated handles with depictions of ancestors and animal motifs. The carvings unite music, mythology, and the spiritual world of the Asmat people.

14/07/2026

Abelam Wosera Figure / Papua New Guinea

This striking ancestor figure was carved by the Wosera Abelam of the Maprik Hills, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea. Known as Nggwalndu, such figures embodied powerful clan ancestors and played a central role in Abelam ceremonial life, which is deeply intertwined with the ritual cultivation of long yams.
During the annual yam festival, figures like this one were displayed in the ceremonial house (Haus Tambaran) alongside the harvested tubers, believed to encourage their growth and honor the ancestral spirits who watched over the community's prosperity.
The elongated body, helmet-like ridged coiffure, coffee-bean-shaped eyes, and finely incised armbands are all characteristic of Wosera carving. The fine ex*****on of this particular work – and the sensitivity brought to every detail – points to the hand of a truly gifted carver. A special piece of Abelam art!

estimated age: first half the 20thn century

H: 108 cm

Provenance:
Michael Kremerskothen, Dortmund

Adresse

Ulmenstraße 25
Düsseldorf
40476

Öffnungszeiten

Dienstag	13:00 - 19:00
Mittwoch	13:00 - 19:00
Donnerstag	13:00 - 19:00
Freitag	13:00 - 19:00
Samstag	13:00 - 19:00

Telefon

+4915231064749

Webseite

http://www.zubek-gallery.de/

Benachrichtigungen

Lassen Sie sich von uns eine E-Mail senden und seien Sie der erste der Neuigkeiten und Aktionen von ZUBEK GALLERY erfährt. Ihre E-Mail-Adresse wird nicht für andere Zwecke verwendet und Sie können sich jederzeit abmelden.