This is the rating and price for Large 20Th C. African Songye Wood Kalebwe Figure, 2000

Description : Central Africa, northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kalebwe region, Songye/Western Kalebwe peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A fantastic example of a carved wooden community power figure known as a kalebwe with 'legs' comprised of a solid, tapered base. The upper body projects up from the base and exhibits a slender torso, protruding points on the chest and navel, stocky hands on narrow hips, and arms that drape from broad shoulders, The inverted piriform face bears inlaid cowrie shell eyes flanking a triangular nose, pursed lips, a sharply angled chin, and a puffy central brow, all beneath a rounded top with a recessed offering receptacle. Two strands of trade beads surround the neck in blue and white colors, and the entire figure boasts lustrous layers of dark brown pigment. Size: 6.4 W x 23.375 H (16.3 cm x 59.4 cm), 23.625 H (60 cm) on included custom stand. The piece exhibits a few characteristics which are unique to Songye artistry. Kalebwe figures, from the northern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, tend to have chins with a square profile rather than rounded chins typical of the southern Kibeshi figures. The second feature is the hollowed receptacle at the top of the head, which is intended for the insertion of fetish material known as bishimba, which symbolically imbues the figure with special powers. According to Jean-Baptist Bacquart, A 'specialist', called the Nganga, then attached magical objects such as snakeskins, feathers, metal necklaces and bracelets to the figure to enhance the power even more. Occasionally these figures are suspended for apotropaic purposes inside a house by inserting a metal rod under each arm. (The Tribal Arts of Africa: Surveying Africa's Artistic Geography. Thames & Hudson, New York, 2000, p. 168) For a similar example with copper and snake-skin adornments, please see: Bacquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa: Surveying Africa's Artistic Geography. Thames & Hudson, New York, 2000, p. 168, fig. 2. A stylistically similar example hammered for EUR 79,500 ($87,658.29) at Christie's, Paris Art d'Afrique, d'Oceanie et d'Amerique du Nord auction (sale 3566, December 10, 2013, lot 102). Another stylistically similar example hammered for EUR 100,000 ($110,262) at Christie's, Paris Arts d'Afrique, d'Oceanie et d'Amerique auction (sale 16061, April 10, 2018, lot 83). Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, ex-private German collection, ex-Zemanek-Munster, Wurzburg, Germany All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #154645
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