Okifa hanged figure - YELA - DR Congo

03
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Dimitri André
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Selected by Dimitri André

Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.

Estimate  € 530 - € 650
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Okifa hanged figure, a wood sculpture from DR Congo by the YELA people, dating from the mid-20th century, original/official provenance from a private collection, 49 cm high, 17 cm wide, 8 cm deep, weighing 875 g, in fair condition, sold without a stand.

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Description from the seller

Yela/Mbole make sinister small figurines. These are called Okifa and represent a man who has been hanged by the Lilwa Sociaty for wrong-doing - usually murder or adultery.
His body gets no funeral rites and is quietly buried in the forest.
At the end of ceremonial events the figurines of executed men are displayed, lying on a litter (as this one).
This will be the final, symbolic appearence of the condemned before their tribe (lit. Desmond Morris).

Material: wood, pigment, kaolin.

Ex collection Jan Maes - NL

Yela/Mbole make sinister small figurines. These are called Okifa and represent a man who has been hanged by the Lilwa Sociaty for wrong-doing - usually murder or adultery.
His body gets no funeral rites and is quietly buried in the forest.
At the end of ceremonial events the figurines of executed men are displayed, lying on a litter (as this one).
This will be the final, symbolic appearence of the condemned before their tribe (lit. Desmond Morris).

Material: wood, pigment, kaolin.

Ex collection Jan Maes - NL

Details

Ethnic group/ culture
YELA
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Mid 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Fair condition
Title of artwork
Okifa hanged figure
Height
49 cm
Width
17 cm
Depth
8 cm
Weight
875 g
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
The NetherlandsVerified
553
Objects sold
87.5%
Private

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