Autumn Leaves Statuette - DR Congo
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€ 1
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Description from the seller
Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tribe name: Kouyou/Kuyu
Material: Wood
Dimension: 32 cm
Shipping method: Colissimo within 24-48h. Open.
This statuette is a fascinating example of Kouyou (or Kuyu) art, a people living in the Cuvette region, in the north of the Republic of Congo.
The statuette presents a vertical and hierarchical structure, typical of the Kouyou style:
The summit: It is topped by a small figure (or an animal spirit) crouching on the head of the main figure. This often symbolizes lineage, spiritual protection, or a link with the world of the ancestors.
The main head: The face is treated with stylized realism. We observe frontal and temple scarifications in relief, almond-shaped eyes, and a slightly open mouth sometimes revealing filed teeth (a sign of beauty and social status among the Kouyou).
The body: The torso is elongated, adorned with complex geometric motifs carved representing ritual scarifications. The hands are drawn back to the abdomen, highlighting the center of the body.
Polychromy: Although time may have faded it, Kouyou art is famous for the use of vivid pigments (red, white, blue, black). Here, distinct contrasts between the dark wood and lighter areas remain.
Adornment: One notices carved rings around the neck and ankles, imitating traditional metal or fiber jewelry.
The base: The statuette is presented on a modern pedestal here, but originally these pieces often ended in a point or short handle to be held by hand.
These objects are intricately linked to the secret society of the Djo, the serpent god.
Usage: During initiation or funeral ceremonies, dancers brandished these pestles above their heads, hidden under long robes of raffia or fabric.
Symbolism: The rotating movement of the dance caused the carved head to whirl, simulating the awakening of the serpent and the presence of spirits. The statuette is not merely a work of art; it is a living intercessor between the visible and the invisible world.
Note: This piece is distinguished by the fineness of its incisions and the presence of the summit figure, which suggests that it probably represented an important ancestor or a specific deity within the clan.
Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tribe name: Kouyou/Kuyu
Material: Wood
Dimension: 32 cm
Shipping method: Colissimo within 24-48h. Open.
This statuette is a fascinating example of Kouyou (or Kuyu) art, a people living in the Cuvette region, in the north of the Republic of Congo.
The statuette presents a vertical and hierarchical structure, typical of the Kouyou style:
The summit: It is topped by a small figure (or an animal spirit) crouching on the head of the main figure. This often symbolizes lineage, spiritual protection, or a link with the world of the ancestors.
The main head: The face is treated with stylized realism. We observe frontal and temple scarifications in relief, almond-shaped eyes, and a slightly open mouth sometimes revealing filed teeth (a sign of beauty and social status among the Kouyou).
The body: The torso is elongated, adorned with complex geometric motifs carved representing ritual scarifications. The hands are drawn back to the abdomen, highlighting the center of the body.
Polychromy: Although time may have faded it, Kouyou art is famous for the use of vivid pigments (red, white, blue, black). Here, distinct contrasts between the dark wood and lighter areas remain.
Adornment: One notices carved rings around the neck and ankles, imitating traditional metal or fiber jewelry.
The base: The statuette is presented on a modern pedestal here, but originally these pieces often ended in a point or short handle to be held by hand.
These objects are intricately linked to the secret society of the Djo, the serpent god.
Usage: During initiation or funeral ceremonies, dancers brandished these pestles above their heads, hidden under long robes of raffia or fabric.
Symbolism: The rotating movement of the dance caused the carved head to whirl, simulating the awakening of the serpent and the presence of spirits. The statuette is not merely a work of art; it is a living intercessor between the visible and the invisible world.
Note: This piece is distinguished by the fineness of its incisions and the presence of the summit figure, which suggests that it probably represented an important ancestor or a specific deity within the clan.
Details
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Autumn Leaves Statuette
Height
32 cm
Authenticity
Original/official
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