Zemanek-Münster
Staff figure "kundul", Nigeria, Wurkun, Size: H: 40,5 cm (H: 15.9 inch), ID: 3048946
Staff figure "kundul", Nigeria, Wurkun, Size: H: 40,5 cm (H: 15.9 inch), ID: 3048946 - 2/5 Staff figure "kundul", Nigeria, Wurkun, Size: H: 40,5 cm (H: 15.9 inch), ID: 3048946 - 3/5 Staff figure "kundul", Nigeria, Wurkun, Size: H: 40,5 cm (H: 15.9 inch), ID: 3048946 - 4/5 Staff figure "kundul", Nigeria, Wurkun, Size: H: 40,5 cm (H: 15.9 inch), ID: 3048946 - 5/5
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Lot 221
98th Auction

Staff figure "kundul" ·  Nigeria, Wurkun · ID: 3048946

not available anymore
Provenance
Wolfgang Ketterer, Munich, 6 May 1978, Lot 353
Size
H: 40,5 cm
H: 15.9 inch

Description

wood, red pigment, encrusted patina, rest., base

“Kundul” figures almost always appear in male/ female pairs, mounted on iron spikes, enabling the sculpture to be stuck in the ground.

They were used as protection and in divination. They were frequently washed with liquid clay, “fed” with offerings of millet beer or millet porridge and rubbed with oil which explains the thickness of the patina.

The object Staff figure “kundul” with the object ID 3048946 was last part of the auction 98th Auction at March 26, 2022 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 221.

You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.

Comparing literature

Lebas, Alain (ed.), Arts of Nigeria in French Private Collections, Milan 2012, p. 286

Publications

AHDRC: 0101062

Africa
Figures

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