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THBLate 19th C. Yombe / Vili Wood & Iron Nkisi Figure
Lot 204e
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$5,000 - $7,000
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Mar 21, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-03-21 10:00:00
2019-03-21 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Fine Ancient | Asian | Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-ancient-asian-ethnographic-art-3967
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (383)
- Lot Description
Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yombe or Vili peoples, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A lovely hand-carved wooden power figure known as an "nkisi nkondi" (literally translated as "spirit hunter"), carved in the likeness of a human being which symbolizes its purpose in being an arbiter for settling disputes between individuals. The figure stands nude with broad feet upon an integral octagonal plinth, has a forward-leaning pose with a waist wrapped in a woven cord and cinched with a shell bead, and has rounded shoulders above the lightly-rounded chest which is pierced with a quartet of small iron nails. The face is exceptionally well-carved with pouty lips with a recessed philtrum, tapering cheeks, a slender nose with flared nostrils, cupped ears, and ovoid eyes inlaid with small clear glass fragments. The tall brow traces upwards to a bound coiffure incised with intricate linear motifs, and the entire figure is covered in lustrous coffee-hued patina. Size: 2.75" W x 8.5" H (7 cm x 21.6 cm); 11.75" H (29.8 cm) on included custom stand.
Power figures like this have traditionally been used during judicial procedures of many Kongolese peoples including the Yombe and Vili. In addition to settling legal disputes, nkisi nkondi have traditionally been used to protect a village, demonstrate innocence or guilt, heal the ill, and put an end to disasters. The types of nails or blades used reflects the kind of agreement made or the severity of the offense.
This particular example is very dramatic. The visage is quite expressive, peering out from glassy eyes which represent the "other world" where spirits of the deceased reside and a closed mouth, suggesting that it will never reveal the secrets of those it has helped. Said spirits are thought to peer through the eyes and identify enemies and guilty parties, hence the name "spirit hunter."
For a stylistically-similar example from the Vili, please see: Bacquart, Jean-Baptiste. "The Tribal Arts of Africa: Surveying Africa's Artistic Geography." Thames & Hudson, New York, 2000, pp. 128-129, fig. 8.
Another stylistically-similar example without iron nails hammered for EUR 11,250 ($12,592.27) at Christie's, Paris "Art Africain et Oceanien" auction (sale 1053, December 13, 2011, lot 301): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/sculptures-statues-figures/statuette-vili-nkisi-vili-figure-nkisi-5520249-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5520249&sid=d2d42fae-fd28-423e-8cd2-490bb430c1ea
Provenance: private Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania, USA collection; ex-private San Francisco, California, USA collection; ex-David Blackhurst collection; ex-Cornette de Saint Cyr auction, Paris, France; ex-private old French collection
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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#144554Small repairs to one foot and one eye brow, with small chips along break lines. Minor losses to forehead, area around eyes, and neck, oxidation to iron nails, with abrasions to body, head, and limbs, light clouding to glass eye panels, and desiccation to woven belt. Light earthen deposits and fabulous patina throughout.Condition
- Shipping Info
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