Description
A Songye/Luba Figure, "nkisi" Standing female figure, "nkisi" Songye/Luba, DR Congo Mit Sockel / with base Wood. H 23,5 cm. Provenance: - Imelda and Paul Berger-Frei, Riehen. - Berger-Frei community of heirs, Basel. Protective and fortune-telling figure who could influence events in the owner's favor by commissioning and using magical substances. The powers could be discharged by means of ritual ceremonies and meetings and put to use for the owner. In return, the figure received numerous sacrifices and attentions in the form of food, oiling and ablutions. The figure is probably an idealized image of a remarkable ancestor who was respected for his social authority during his lifetime and whose influence continued to have a direct impact on society after his death. This materialized interface between this worldly and supernatural powers had a private character and was owned by a single person or household. For the ritual practitioner who created these magical figures and endowed them with their powers, an exact, finely crafted appearance was therefore less important than the figure's effectiveness. Further reading: Nooter Roberts, Mary / Roberts, Allan F. (1996). Memory, Luba Art and the Making of History. New York: The Museum for African Art. CHF 2 000 / 4 000 Weight in grams: 395 Condition: The condition (possible wear, signs of use, tears, possible other impairments and the signs of age etc.) of this lot can be seen in the photos we have uploaded for your documentation. If you have any questions about this item, please do not hesitate to contact Hammer Auctions ([email protected]). The information regarding the condition of the items provided for the convenience of interested parties is an opinion only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Hammer Auctions accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions. In the rare event that the item does not match the description in the catalog, Hammer Auctions is here to help. Buyers may return the lot for a full refund provided they notify Hammer Auctions within 5 days of receiving the lot.
72
A Songye/Luba Figure, "nkisi" Standing female figure, "nkisi" Songye/Luba, DR Congo Mit Sockel / with base Wood. H 23,5 cm. Provenance: - Imelda and Paul Berger-Frei, Riehen. - Berger-Frei community of heirs, Basel. Protective and fortune-telling figure who could influence events in the owner's favor by commissioning and using magical substances. The powers could be discharged by means of ritual ceremonies and meetings and put to use for the owner. In return, the figure received numerous sacrifices and attentions in the form of food, oiling and ablutions. The figure is probably an idealized image of a remarkable ancestor who was respected for his social authority during his lifetime and whose influence continued to have a direct impact on society after his death. This materialized interface between this worldly and supernatural powers had a private character and was owned by a single person or household. For the ritual practitioner who created these magical figures and endowed them with their powers, an exact, finely crafted appearance was therefore less important than the figure's effectiveness. Further reading: Nooter Roberts, Mary / Roberts, Allan F. (1996). Memory, Luba Art and the Making of History. New York: The Museum for African Art. CHF 2 000 / 4 000 Weight in grams: 395 Condition: The condition (possible wear, signs of use, tears, possible other impairments and the signs of age etc.) of this lot can be seen in the photos we have uploaded for your documentation. If you have any questions about this item, please do not hesitate to contact Hammer Auctions ([email protected]). The information regarding the condition of the items provided for the convenience of interested parties is an opinion only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Hammer Auctions accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions. In the rare event that the item does not match the description in the catalog, Hammer Auctions is here to help. Buyers may return the lot for a full refund provided they notify Hammer Auctions within 5 days of receiving the lot.
You may also like
