Important Nkisi Songye fetish, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Similar to the other fetishes from the Christiaens collection, this large and potent figure is constructed in a cubistic style which conveys the solidity and strength of a protective ancestor-spirit. The diviner Nganga, has charged this carved figure with spiritual powers by attaching symbolic substances - animal, vegetable and mineral - into its head, abdomen and shoulders, and by attaching bundles of similar ingredients to its chest, neck and feet. An important power figure of this size is owned by the whole tribe and consulted during public ceremonies. Around 1900. 93 cm. Collected in situ by Joseph Christiaens senior.
Provenance:
Joseph Christiaens, Brussels.
Private collection Brussels. T
hree other large Nkisi figures from the same collection: Sotheby’s London, December 11, 1978, lot 237;
Alan Stone collection, 15 November 2013;
The Robert Rubin Collection of African Art 13 May 2011. (VJ)
Specialist: Joris Visser
Joris Visser
+32-2-514 00 34
Joris.Visser@dorotheum.com
31.10.2017 - 14:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 30,000.- to EUR 40,000.-
Important Nkisi Songye fetish, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Similar to the other fetishes from the Christiaens collection, this large and potent figure is constructed in a cubistic style which conveys the solidity and strength of a protective ancestor-spirit. The diviner Nganga, has charged this carved figure with spiritual powers by attaching symbolic substances - animal, vegetable and mineral - into its head, abdomen and shoulders, and by attaching bundles of similar ingredients to its chest, neck and feet. An important power figure of this size is owned by the whole tribe and consulted during public ceremonies. Around 1900. 93 cm. Collected in situ by Joseph Christiaens senior.
Provenance:
Joseph Christiaens, Brussels.
Private collection Brussels. T
hree other large Nkisi figures from the same collection: Sotheby’s London, December 11, 1978, lot 237;
Alan Stone collection, 15 November 2013;
The Robert Rubin Collection of African Art 13 May 2011. (VJ)
Specialist: Joris Visser
Joris Visser
+32-2-514 00 34
Joris.Visser@dorotheum.com
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| Auction: | Tribal Art - Source - Tribal and Curiosity Sale |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 31.10.2017 - 14:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 25.10. - 31.10.2017 |