Nkisi stone - Sierra Leone
Starting bid
€ 1
Add to your favourites to get an alert when the auction starts.
Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 750 - € 950
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 135619 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Description from the seller
Over the past century, ancient stone carvings like this have surfaced in the fields of farmers in southern Sierra Leone. Little is known about the early history of this corpus of several thousand surviving sculptures. Referred to as nomoli (found spirit) or pomdo (the deceased) by their Mende and Kissi finders, respectively, these discoveries have been understood as wondrous points of connection to a distant past. Scientific analysis of related wood and ceramic figures dates this tradition back to as early as the tenth century C.E. The subjects depicted include seated figures, sculpted heads, and human-animal hybrids. This example is notable for its exceptional size. Art historian Frederick Lamp has hypothesized that such creations relate to royal or ancestral memorials commissioned by the Sapi, the name used by early Portuguese traders for the predecessors of today's Temne and Bullom communities.
Provenance: Jean-Michel Huguenin, Paris
Seller's Story
Montagut Gallery
Gallery specializing in African tribal art
Montagut Gallery is a gallery specializing in African tribal art, a space devoted to exploring and celebrating the rich artistic heritage of the African continent. Founded in 1990 in Barcelona, the gallery has been a beacon for lovers of tribal art, thanks to the drive and passion of Guilhem Montagut.
Guided by his deep interest in tribal art, Guilhem Montagut immersed himself in this fascinating world through the influence of Rachel Montagut, pioneer and visionary in the world of African tribal art, founder and prominent gallerist. Since then, the gallery has remained true to its mission of spreading the beauty and importance of African art on the international art scene.
Montagut Gallery’s presence extends beyond the borders of Barcelona, actively participating in world-renowned fairs such as TEFAF Maastricht, Brafa Art Fair, Paris Tribal, Parcours des Mondes, and FAB.
The gallery is dedicated to organizing multidisciplinary exhibitions that dialogue and juxtapose African art with other artistic languages, creating a space for cultural exchange and reflection. Its aim is to raise awareness and help people understand that African art is not only a unique cultural expression but also an integral and indispensable part of the world’s art history heritage.
Translated by Google TranslateOver the past century, ancient stone carvings like this have surfaced in the fields of farmers in southern Sierra Leone. Little is known about the early history of this corpus of several thousand surviving sculptures. Referred to as nomoli (found spirit) or pomdo (the deceased) by their Mende and Kissi finders, respectively, these discoveries have been understood as wondrous points of connection to a distant past. Scientific analysis of related wood and ceramic figures dates this tradition back to as early as the tenth century C.E. The subjects depicted include seated figures, sculpted heads, and human-animal hybrids. This example is notable for its exceptional size. Art historian Frederick Lamp has hypothesized that such creations relate to royal or ancestral memorials commissioned by the Sapi, the name used by early Portuguese traders for the predecessors of today's Temne and Bullom communities.
Provenance: Jean-Michel Huguenin, Paris
Seller's Story
Montagut Gallery
Gallery specializing in African tribal art
Montagut Gallery is a gallery specializing in African tribal art, a space devoted to exploring and celebrating the rich artistic heritage of the African continent. Founded in 1990 in Barcelona, the gallery has been a beacon for lovers of tribal art, thanks to the drive and passion of Guilhem Montagut.
Guided by his deep interest in tribal art, Guilhem Montagut immersed himself in this fascinating world through the influence of Rachel Montagut, pioneer and visionary in the world of African tribal art, founder and prominent gallerist. Since then, the gallery has remained true to its mission of spreading the beauty and importance of African art on the international art scene.
Montagut Gallery’s presence extends beyond the borders of Barcelona, actively participating in world-renowned fairs such as TEFAF Maastricht, Brafa Art Fair, Paris Tribal, Parcours des Mondes, and FAB.
The gallery is dedicated to organizing multidisciplinary exhibitions that dialogue and juxtapose African art with other artistic languages, creating a space for cultural exchange and reflection. Its aim is to raise awareness and help people understand that African art is not only a unique cultural expression but also an integral and indispensable part of the world’s art history heritage.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
Sierra Leone
Material
stone
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition
Title of artwork
Nkisi stone
Height
15 cm
Width
5 cm
Depth
7 cm
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
