Huge 20th C. African Songye Wood Nkisi Kalebwe Statue

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Ancient & Ethnographic From Around the World

By Artemis Gallery

Nov 5, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-11-05 10:00:00 2020-11-05 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient & Ethnographic From Around the World https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-from-around-the-world-5916
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• Lot Description
  Central Africa, northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Songye peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figure known as a nkisi (male) power figure of a substantial size standing with delineated legs and angular thighs atop an integral conical plinth. The stylized figure features a distended abdomen with a recessed cavity in the navel, a horizontal ridge across the chest, broad shoulders, and wide arms bent at the elbow. The ringed cylindrical neck traces up to the bulbous head which showcases crescent-shaped eyes, a triangular nose above protruding, smiling lips, a squared-off chin, and a broad forehead lined with hammered copper panels. A cavity atop the head originally held a horn symbolic of a power conduit. Rich brown patina covers the entire figure and provide for an attractive presentation. Size: 10" W x 45.25" H (25.4 cm x 114.9 cm)
  
  Songye power figures are created to protect a community and mediate between the living and spiritual realms to cure ailments. Figures that are employed in ceremonial uses have real horns protruding from the center of the head and often also exhibit hammered brass panels which are applied to the face. Power figures are kept in a sanctuary under the care of a guardian when not in use.
  
  The piece exhibits a few characteristics which are unique to Songye artistry. Kalebwe figures, from the northern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, tend to have chins with a square profile rather than rounded chins typical of the southern Kibeshi figures. The second feature is the hollowed receptacle at the top of the head which is intended for the insertion of fetish material, known as "bishimba," which symbolically imbues the figure with special powers. According to Jean-Baptist Bacquart, "A 'specialist', called the Nganga, then attached magical objects such as snakeskins, feathers, metal necklaces and bracelets to the figure to enhance the power even more. Occasionally these figures are suspended for apotropaic purposes inside a house by inserting a metal rod under each arm." ("The Tribal Arts of Africa: Surveying Africa's Artistic Geography." Thames & Hudson, New York, 2000, p. 168)
  
  Provenance: private Orange, California, USA collection, acquired in the 1930s
  
  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.
  
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  #159671

  Condition

  Repair to back of base, with possible restoration to phallus, with small chips and light adhesive residue along new material and break lines. Original horn atop head missing as shown. Abrasions and light inactive insect damage to base, body, limbs, and head, and minor indentations and encrustations to copper panels. Nice patina to wood and copper panels.
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