Catalan military cornet – 1933

Catalan military cornet, manufactured in 1933 at the Montserrat factory, Conde del Asalto 31, in Barcelona.

It was used in the Spanish Civil War, from 1936 to 1939.

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Antique carbide lantern – 1925

Old carbide lantern, manufactured in the “Lampisterías José Cos”, in Figueres (Girona – Catalonia) in 1925.

The carbide lantern on a carriage, at the beginning of the 20th century, was an essential element for security and lighting at night. In a time when most roads were unpaved and there were no lights, carbide lanterns were a necessity for carriage drivers, popular due to their portability and ease of use, as well as being a cheaper alternative to other light sources at that time.

It consisted of a lamp containing a mixture of calcium carbide and water. Upon contact, these two elements generated a flammable gas that, when ignited, produced a bright flame. The lamp was mounted on the front or rear of the carriage and was lit with a match or match.
Unlike other types of lanterns that required electricity or candles, the carbide lantern could easily be refilled with more calcium carbide.

In addition to being a useful tool for lighting, carbide lanterns were also an aesthetic element for carriages. Many of them were decorated with elaborate details and were available in a wide variety of designs and sizes. These lanterns were also a form of identification for other drivers and travelers on the road, letting them know what type of vehicle it was.

However, they also presented some problems and risks. First, calcium carbide was highly flammable and could explode if handled incorrectly. Also, the light they provided was not very bright and only illuminated a small area, which meant that drivers had to be very careful when driving their carriages in the dark.

Despite these drawbacks, the carbide lantern was an important element in the carriages of that time and helped to improve the safety of night driving. With the passage of time, however, safer and more effective alternatives for night lighting were developed, which led to its disappearance.

Despite these problems, carbide lanterns were an integral part of life on the road. Its use allowed carriage drivers to travel more safely and comfortably in the dark, and its design and aesthetics contributed to the elegance and style of that time.

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Moroccan tray

Moroccan tray with hand-engraved brass, scanned in 3D.

Ornaments and patterns are embroidered and recorded by hand. This type of tray is traditionally used in Morocco to serve tea. It is 30.4cm in diameter.

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St. Peter’s religious stone sculpture

St. Peter’s religious stone sculpture.

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Pierrot clay mask, optimized and PBR textures

Pierrot clay mask, optimized for virtual and augmented reality, with PBR textures (Physically Based Rendering).

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African mask

African Mask, Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Nkisi (woman) – D.R. Congo

Nkisi (woman) – D.R. Congo

The PBR (Physically Based Rendering) textures in 3D, used with this scanned figure, are a type of texture that is used to make objects in a 3D world look more realistic.

Instead of simply adding colors and shadows to a surface, PBR textures are based on physical principles to simulate how light interacts with different materials. This means that PBR textures take into account things like reflection, refraction, roughness, opacity, and other physical aspects of a material.

Let’s explain a little what an Nkisi is.

A “Nkisi” is a sacred object that acts as a container for spiritual energy or supernatural power, and is used in religious rituals and healing. The word “Nkisi” can also refer to the deity or spirit invoked in the ritual.

On the other hand, a “Noganga” is a healer or shaman in Bantu tradition, who uses Nkisi in their job. The Noganga is a person with special abilities to work with the spiritual energy of Nkisi and use it to heal the sick, protect the community, and resolve conflicts.

Therefore, a “Nkisi-noganga” refers to a person who has knowledge and skills in both the fabrication and use of Nkisi and in healing and curing. These people play an important role in Bantu religion and culture, and are considered spiritual and community leaders in their society.

Nkisi figures can be either male or female, depending on the purpose for which they were created and the spirit invoked in the ritual. In Bantu tradition, it is believed that both men and women have spiritual abilities and can connect with divine powers. Therefore, both men and women can be healers, Nkisi creators, and spiritual leaders in their community.

In addition, some Nkisi figures are created to represent specific deities, which can be male or female. In such cases, the Nkisi figure may take the form of the represented deity, whether male or female.

Nkisi can be made of various materials, depending on the purpose for which they were created and the availability of materials in the region.

Like the one presented here, the oldest Nkisi were generally made of wood, as it was an easily available and easy-to-carve material. The wood was carved and decorated with designs and symbols that represented the invoked spirit and its power.

Other materials that have been used in the creation of Nkisi include clay, iron, fabric, animal skin, ivory, and other natural materials. These materials are often used in combination with wood and are carved, sculpted, or molded to create the Nkisi figure.

Today, some Nkisi are also made of modern materials such as plastic or metal, although traditional materials are still the most valued in that culture and religion.

Bantu traditional religion and culture are based on the belief in spirits and ancestors, who have the ability to interact with the living and can influence their lives. Religious practice includes the use of sacred objects like Nkisi, and the performance of rituals for healing, protection, and conflict resolution.

Bantu culture values community and interdependence among its members, and communal rituals and celebrations are an important part of social and spiritual life. Music, dance, and art also play an important role in their cultural expression.

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Tribal chief wooden baton, D.R. Congo

This baton is a gift from the chief of a tribe of Democratic Republic of Congo to a doctor who saved the life of his son, in 1970.

The baton was an important object in the culture of D.R. of Congo tribes. It represented the power and authority of the head of the tribe. It was a tangible symbol of his position and was used in important situations to exercise his leadership. For example, the chief could use the baton to preside at meetings and ceremonies, to make key decisions, and to resolve conflicts. Possession of the command staff was an indicator of the chief’s ability and prestige and was considered a sign of respect for his authority. Through the use of it, the chief conveyed his authority and guidance from him to his tribe, and ensured that his decisions were respected and supported.

In addition, the baton had cultural and traditional significance that was passed down from generation to generation. It was seen as valuable and was considered to have its own history and lineage. Therefore, their transfer from one chief to another was carried out with a certain ceremony and they used to be the object of special treatment.

The batons used by the chiefs of D.R. of Congo tribes used to be made of a variety of materials, but with a focus on durability and symbolism. Some were made of natural materials such as wood, bone, or ivory, while others could be made of metal or synthetic materials.
Wood was a popular material for batons, as it was durable and easy to work with. Chiefs often chose precious and rare woods to symbolize their status and authority. Additionally, the wood could be carved and decorated with elaborate designs and patterns to add a personal and meaningful touch to the staff.
Bone and ivory were also popular materials for batons, and were often seen as more noble and luxurious materials. They were more difficult to work than wood, but the end result was a more elegant and solid cane.

In some cases, chiefs could also use batons made of metal or synthetic materials, such as steel or plastic. These materials offered greater durability and resistance to corrosion, and were often lighter and easier to handle than wooden or bone staves.

They used to be decorated with a variety of figures and symbols that represented his authority and his role in the tribe. Some of the more common designs included:

Animals: Representations of animals such as lions, elephants or snakes could appear on the command sticks to symbolize the strength and power of the chief.
Plants and Trees: The leaves and roots of plants and trees were often depicted to symbolize the stability and strength of the tribe.
Stars and Planets: Stars and planets could appear to symbolize the chief’s protection and guidance.
Geometric Patterns: Geometric patterns, such as circles, lines, or repetitive shapes, could be present to symbolize stability and harmony.
People: Human figures could appear to represent important ancestors or to symbolize the authority and power of the chief.

They used to be made by local artisans. These artisans were experts at carving wood, bone, and other materials to create unique and elaborate staffs. Often these artisans worked at the request of a specific chief, and the process of creating the staff could be highly personalized and meaningful.

The artisans could also be hired by foreign merchants or missionaries traveling to Democratic Republic of Congo regions, often creating them for sale or to be used as collectors’ items. In many cases, these batons were simpler or more conventional than the batons made by local artisans, and tended to have less detail and symbolism.

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