A Big Songye figure, bought from a private collection during a Ateaf Fair in Wilrijk near Antwerp.
H= 58 cm, 40cm without the horn, 64 cm on the wood stand .
CONDITION: one chip missing on the back of the head, some cracks on the base.. Horn on top, nails inserted around the belly, charge missing, remains of palm oil offerings.
The Songye figure is constructed in a cubistic style which conveys the solidity and strength of a protective ancestor-spirit. The diviner Nganga, charged the figure and gave it palm oil offerings and a horn on top to attrack spiritual powers into its head, abdomen .
A power figure with a nice size collected in the 1970's. Around 1950-60. 58 cm.
Object
Figure
Indigenous object name
Nkisi
Ethnic group/ culture
Songye
Region/ country
Congo DRC
Material
Wood
Period
Mid 20th century
Condition
Vintage - used with visible signs of wear
Sold with stand
Yes
Dimensions
58×12×13 cm