Figure - Horn, Wood - Provenance Michel GAUD - Songye - Congo DRC

Provenance: A valuable big female Songye fertilty figure.coming from the well known collection of Michel Gaud in Saint Tropez France.
Then in the collection of Jan Kusters, Netherland.

H= 59 cm with horn, 65cm on the custom made wood base.

Age: around 1900.

CONDITION: brown reddish wood. a horn inserted on top,elongated neck, remains of a charge on the head on the left and right and a charge on the belly. Also a rope around the belly.

Arms carved holding the pelvis to symbolize maternity and fertility, little cracks on the hand. .

Songye power objects are associated with divination are prevalent in Western collections and much sought after.

The Songye tribe was discovered quite early by Frobenius, who visited southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1906-1907,

The creator god of the Songye is Efile, although sacrifices are not made directly to him. Much attention is focused on familial ancestors, to whom sacrifices are made to encourage the well-being of the individual and the family.

An interesting and expressive carving from a type not often seen and coming from the Michel Gaud collection.