Null Two "Nkisi" power figures, SONGYE, Democratic Republic of Congo. Hardwood, …

Description

Two "Nkisi" power figures, SONGYE, Democratic Republic of Congo. Hardwood, dark patina, blue beads, raffia. Height: 33 cm and 34 cm.

90

Two "Nkisi" power figures, SONGYE, Democratic Republic of Congo. Hardwood, dark patina, blue beads, raffia. Height: 33 cm and 34 cm.

Auction is over for this lot. See the results

You may also like

Estim. 1 000 - 1 500 EUR

SONGYE HEAD FROM A POWER FIGURE Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood H.35cm Provenance: Jean-Paul Agogué, Champigny-sur-Marne, France NOTE The Songye reside in the Democratic Republic of Congo, situated to the left of the River Lualaba. Renowned for their craftsmanship, the Songye create a plethora of tribal artworks, including power objects, artefacts related to witchcraft and sorcery. Their rivers hold spiritual significance, believed to house the spirits of deceased chiefs who were frequently laid to rest within them. While larger rivers were communal assets, smaller ones were typically owned by individual families. The following is a fragment of a Songye sculpture, likely part of a head, crafted from hardwood with a dark patina.

Estim. 4 500 - 5 000 EUR

SONGYE POWER FIGURE Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood, shell, coco shell and horn of antelope H.93cm Provenance: Private British collection NOTE The Songye people sought the aid of supernatural forces which they believed could be invoked and influenced in their favour through power sculptures known as mankisi (singular: nkisi). These sculptures ranging from a few centimetres to over a metre in height, depending on their intended function. They can be broadly categorized into two groups: those for personal use and those intended for the entire village or community. Smaller scale mankisi were typically crafted to address immediate needs and were not designed for long-term use.

Estim. 500 - 600 EUR

SONGYE MALE FIGURE Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood H: 29 cm

Estim. 50 - 80 EUR

SONGYE, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Hard wood, dark brown patina. Nkisi" power statue with long ringed neck surmounted by a human head. Height: 29 cm (without feathers).

Online payments are secured by Ingenico and encrypted transactions.

Each lot has been authenticated and appraised by an Auction House.

Consult our FAQ or contact us

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.

More about Drouot

Drouot certified auction houses

Contacts

HÔTEL DROUOT

9, rue Drouot 75009 Paris, France

+33 (0)1 48 00 20 00

[email protected]

DROUOT.com

[email protected]