West Africa, Sierra Leone, Kissi/Sapi/Mende peoples, ca. 14th to 17th century CE. A wonderful hand-carved stone figure of a zoomorphic form shown seated with knees propped up and hands supporting its bulbous head. Boasting a light burnish, the fascinating figure displays a stylized visage of crescent-shaped eyes and a projecting snout with an anthropomorphic nose, full lips, and tapered fangs. A circle is incised on the figure's belly, perhaps intended to represent a navel. Size: 2.75" W x 4.25" H (7 cm x 10.8 cm); 5.375" H (13.7 cm) on included custom stand.
The Kissi call such stone anthropomorphic carvings Pombo (Pomtam - plural), a word that literally translates to "deceased," while the Mende call them Nomoli. These sculptures are regarded as intermediaries between the living and their ancestors. Such carved works have been found on the lands of the Kissi, Mende, and Sapi kingdoms, and continue to be placed upon commemorative shrines or altars as it is common practice to engage in ritual recycling.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Eric Robertson collection, New York, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#165677
Condition
Drill hole on base for attachment to stand. Expected erosion and surface wear, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with light earthen deposits in recessed areas.