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A Yombe Seated Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo
Estimate
6,000 - 9,000 USD
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Description
the human figure seated with crossed legs and biting a root held with the right hand, with a piece of skin and hair from the waterbuck antelope (kobus ellipsiprymnus) inserted in the head; 'FX9440' in white pigment on bottom of figure; fine aged honey brown patina.
Provenance
Marc Leo Felix, Brussels
Fred Jahn, Munich
Fred Jahn, Munich
Exhibited
Iowa City, The University of Iowa Museum of Art, Kilengi: African Art from the Bareiss Family Collection, March 27 - May 23, 1999 (for additional venues see bibliography, Roy 1997)
Literature
Christopher D. Roy, Kilengi: African Art from the Bareiss Family Collection, Seattle, 1997, pp. 238 and 383, fig. 148
--, Kilengi. Afrikanische Kunst aus der Sammlung Bareiss, Hanover, 1997, pp. 242 and 388, fig. 148
--, Kilengi. Afrikanische Kunst aus der Sammlung Bareiss, Hanover, 1997, pp. 242 and 388, fig. 148
Condition
good condition overall; age cracks through front and right side of legs and base, left thigh chip, age cracks on reverse of head, one segment broken and reattached; fine aged honey brown patina.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
Roy (1997: 383, text to fig. 148) notes: "This small figure is carved of light-colored wood and once served as the finial to a ruler's leadership staff or a healer's prestige staff. It may represent the healer, or nganga, seated cross-legged, chewing on the plant which he spits over his client as he recites prayers to rid him or her of affliction. Since the ruler was also a nganga, he might use such a staff as a symbol of both political and healing powers. The chief might arouse the power of the healing spirits by driving the point of such a staff into the ground."