- 146
Importante statue fétiche, Songye, République Démocratique du Congo
Description
- Songye
- Importante statue fétiche
- haut. 88 cm
- 34 3/4 in
Provenance
Pace Primitive and Ancient Art, New York
Collection Arnold et Lucille Alderman, New York
Sotheby's, New York, 17 mai 2002, n° 28
Literature
Neyt, La redoutable statuaire Songye, 2004 : 231, n° 180
Condition
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
François Neyt rattache cette puissante statue nkisi aux styles de la région de Santeri et des limites nord-orientales du pays Songye, et en particulier au style central des Kalebwe Ya Ngongo. De cette aire stylistique nucléale, exprimant avec force la créativité et l'identité des Songye Kalebwe et dont on retrouve l'influence sur les groupes avoisinants, proviennent des œuvres majeures, chacune témoignant, comme ici, d'une profonde originalité (Neyt, 2004 : 330).
Elle exprime, par son attitude, son expression et ses attributs, toute la puissance de sa fonction. Les statues mankisi (sing. nkisi) de grande dimension, médiatrices entre les esprits et les hommes, étaient destinées à protéger l'ensemble de la communauté, souvent pendant plusieurs générations. Pour les Songye, leur valeur réside avant tout dans l'efficacité des composantes magiques - présentes ici au sommet de la tête et dans le nombril. Le nkisi communautaire était conservé dans un sanctuaire situé au centre du village et placé sous la protection d'un gardien, censé traduire les messages du nkisi sous l'emprise de la possession médiumnique (Hersak, 1986 : 132).
Ici, la patine profonde et l'épaisse croûte d'agglomérat rituel attestent son ancienneté et son usage prolongé sur plusieurs générations.
An important Songe power figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo
François Neyt relates this powerful nkisi figure to the styles of the Santeri region and the north-eastern limits of the Songe country, and in particular with the central style of Kalebwe Ya Ngongo. From this central stylistic area, expressing with force the creativity and the identity of the Songe Kalebwe, which exerted an influence over neighbouring groups, come several major works, each one testifying, like the offered example, to a profound originality (Neyt, 2004: 330).
Through its attitude, its expression and its attributes, this figure expresses all the power of its intended function. Mankisi figures (sing. nkisi) of great size were mediators between the spirits and men, and were intended to protect the community, often over the course of several generations. For the Songe their value lies above all else in the effectiveness of the magical components, which are present here at the top of the head and in the navel. The community nkisi was preserved in a sanctuary in the centre of the village, and placed under the protection of a guard who was supposed to translate the messages of the nkisi whilst under the influence of mediumistic possession (Hersak, 1986: 132).
Here, the deep patina and the thick crust of ritual agglomerate attest to the figure's age and its prolonged use across several generations.