Chief's Effigy - Chokwe - Angola
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Expert
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: Angola
Tribe name: Chokwe
Material: Wood
Dimension: 28 cm
Shipping method: Colissimo within 24-48h. Open
This sculpture is a classic representation of Chokwe (or Tshokwe) art, a Central African people mainly located in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia.
The most distinctive element is the monumental headdress shaped like a fan or a curved disk.
Meaning: It symbolizes power and high social status. It draws inspiration from elaborate hairstyles worn by chiefs during justice ceremonies or fertility rites.
Symbolism: This form often evokes the Cihongo spirit, a male spirit representing wealth and temporal power.
The face presents the Chokwe beauty and authority canons:
Eyes: Often carved "coffee grain" or almond-shaped, with heavy eyelids, suggesting introspection and wisdom.
The mouth: The lips are fleshy and slightly parted, a typical trait of statuary from the Kwango region.
Patina: The surface is dark, smooth, and glossy, the result of applying pigments and oils (such as palm oil) to protect the wood and give it a sacred appearance.
The figure is depicted seated or crouching, which is a sign of dignity.
Object: It seems to hold a ritual object or a musical instrument (perhaps a sanza or drum). Among the Chokwe, art and music are intrinsically linked to the transmission of knowledge and the maintenance of social order.
Hands: The fingers are often finely detailed, showing great technical mastery by the sculptor.
These statues are not mere decorations; they are objects of power. They served as vessels for the spirits of royal ancestors. A chief surrounded himself with such effigies to:
- Legitimize his authority.
- Ensure the protection of his people.
- Serve as intermediaries between the world of the living and the spirit world.
Expert note: Chokwe art is one of the most famous in Africa for its perfect balance between anatomical realism and symbolic stylization. This piece is a fine example of how physical strength and spiritual power are fused into a single work.
Origin: Angola
Tribe name: Chokwe
Material: Wood
Dimension: 28 cm
Shipping method: Colissimo within 24-48h. Open
This sculpture is a classic representation of Chokwe (or Tshokwe) art, a Central African people mainly located in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia.
The most distinctive element is the monumental headdress shaped like a fan or a curved disk.
Meaning: It symbolizes power and high social status. It draws inspiration from elaborate hairstyles worn by chiefs during justice ceremonies or fertility rites.
Symbolism: This form often evokes the Cihongo spirit, a male spirit representing wealth and temporal power.
The face presents the Chokwe beauty and authority canons:
Eyes: Often carved "coffee grain" or almond-shaped, with heavy eyelids, suggesting introspection and wisdom.
The mouth: The lips are fleshy and slightly parted, a typical trait of statuary from the Kwango region.
Patina: The surface is dark, smooth, and glossy, the result of applying pigments and oils (such as palm oil) to protect the wood and give it a sacred appearance.
The figure is depicted seated or crouching, which is a sign of dignity.
Object: It seems to hold a ritual object or a musical instrument (perhaps a sanza or drum). Among the Chokwe, art and music are intrinsically linked to the transmission of knowledge and the maintenance of social order.
Hands: The fingers are often finely detailed, showing great technical mastery by the sculptor.
These statues are not mere decorations; they are objects of power. They served as vessels for the spirits of royal ancestors. A chief surrounded himself with such effigies to:
- Legitimize his authority.
- Ensure the protection of his people.
- Serve as intermediaries between the world of the living and the spirit world.
Expert note: Chokwe art is one of the most famous in Africa for its perfect balance between anatomical realism and symbolic stylization. This piece is a fine example of how physical strength and spiritual power are fused into a single work.
Details
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
Angola
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Chief's Effigy - Chokwe
Height
28 cm
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
