Rare figural carved staff · D. R. Congo, Songe-Beneki · ID: 3043719
sold
EUR 5,000
Provenance
Leslie Gooday (1921-2013), Great Britain (architect)Size
H: 22,5 cm
H: 8.9 inch
Description
wood, rich black patina, standing figure in style of a “nkisi” power figure, cavities for insertion of magical loading “bishimba” at the navel and on the head, entirely covered by extremely sticky sacrificial patina, slightly dam., vertical crack (left side of the head, body,base), staff cut, base.
Figurally carved staffs made by the Songe are rarely to be found in literature. It can be assumed that they were used in context of divination ceremonies, but this is not proven. Present object might as well once have formed a staff finial or the handle of a fly whisk.
Comparing literature
compare AHDRC 0121196 (Sotheby's New York, 16 May 2014, lot 387)
Publications
AHDRC: 0125841