Songye, Dem. Rep. of Congo: A ‘nkisi’ power figure, with ‘magical substances’.
A small, male ‘nkisi’ power figure. Carved from hard wood, dyed black and standing on a conical plinth. With a small dik-dik horn at the crown (broken), a padded belt filled with ‘magical substances’ on the chest, as well as with a filled cavity in the abdomen― this power figure is ‘loaded with magic’. Beautifully and compactly crafted. The mouth, in the form of a horizontal ‘8’, links this bearded male ‘nkisi’ figure to the stylistic region of ‘Sankuru and Lubefu’ (according to François Neyt). A piece with good shiny patina and minor age-related damage (a crack on the body and on the plinth, respectively), first half of the 20th century; h: 27 cm. (ME)
Lit.: ‘Songye' by Francois Neyt, ill. 91.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 4,000.- to EUR 5,000.-
Songye, Dem. Rep. of Congo: A ‘nkisi’ power figure, with ‘magical substances’.
A small, male ‘nkisi’ power figure. Carved from hard wood, dyed black and standing on a conical plinth. With a small dik-dik horn at the crown (broken), a padded belt filled with ‘magical substances’ on the chest, as well as with a filled cavity in the abdomen― this power figure is ‘loaded with magic’. Beautifully and compactly crafted. The mouth, in the form of a horizontal ‘8’, links this bearded male ‘nkisi’ figure to the stylistic region of ‘Sankuru and Lubefu’ (according to François Neyt). A piece with good shiny patina and minor age-related damage (a crack on the body and on the plinth, respectively), first half of the 20th century; h: 27 cm. (ME)
Lit.: ‘Songye' by Francois Neyt, ill. 91.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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Auction: | Tribal Art |
Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
Date: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
Exhibition: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |