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Descrizione : One million Chokwe have spread out over a wide area in eastern Angola, southern DRC, and Zambia. There are at least 30 different spellings for their name, which are all based on their name for themselves, Kocowe or the plural Tucokwe. Their history dates back to the 15th century, when a Lunda queen married a Luba prince named Chibinda Ilunga. A prominent member of the Lunda aristocracy so disapproved of this marriage that the couple migrated south to present-day Angola. Once settled, they founded several kingdoms, each ruled by a god-king. A major famine circa 1860 caused the Chokwe people to migrate to the source of the Kwangi, Kasai, and Lungwe rivers. The Chokwe are governed by a king, or Mwana Ngana, who distributes hunting and cultivation areas, while male Mugonge and female Ukule societies regulate their social life. They are vigorous and courageous hunters and agriculturalists, who formerly participated in slave trade. Their dynamic spirit is reflected in their unique and beautiful art.Chokwe sculptors were the most famous of the region, and produced two types of sculptures including jinga charms and small mahamba figures. The mahamba figures were used in family shrines as well as for hunting, love, magic, and fertility rituals. The ancient refined culture of the court was expressed with conviction by professional artist called the fuli. They were hired by great chieftainries and worked exclusively for the court, sculpting scepters, thrones, fans, tobacco boxes, pipes, flyswats, cups, and figures of chiefs or ancestors - all demonstrating a great deal of refinement. The fuli were famous for their large statues of deified ancestors, exalting strength and dignity. The best-known representation is of chief Chibinda Ilunga, youngest son of the great Luba chief Kalala Ilunga and the start of the sacred dynasty of the Mwata Yamvo of the Lunda. He became the model of the hunting and civilizing hero, sometimes represented seated on a throne, or standing either naked or dressed as a hunter. Chibinda Ilunga's body is stocky, with legs bent, shoulder blades clearly drawn, the neck wide and powerful, and the navel protruding. He wears an enormous and elaborate hairdo, the sign of his princely rank. As the Chokwe social organization is founded upon matrilineal lineages, there are and equally large number of female statues, identified as the queen mother or chief's wife.This figure dates to the early to mid 20th century, and features a gorgeous honey colored patina. The powerful presence shows the incredible skill of the fuli court artists.Provenance:These pieces were collected over a period of several decades out of collections from America and throughout Europe, including France, Germany, Belgium and Amsterdam beginning in the early 1960s. The items in this collection have been identified by George Mack, former director of the Arizona African Art Museum.Add this stunning piece to your collection today!Piece shows signs of use with a very nice patina from being handled and held. Some minor cracking to the wood, mostly to the torso. Right top coiffure projection has broken off and is missing, left projection is intact. Item is in overall good condition for its age.Measures approximately 24.5 x 8.5 with a total weight of 10 lbs.
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