- 58
Statuette, Songye, République Démocratique du Congo
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 EUR
bidding is closed
Description
- Songye
- Statuette
- wood
- haut. 27 cm
- 10 5/8 in
Provenance
Collection William Brill, New York (inv. n° 120x)
Pace Primitive, New York, 2007 (inv. n° 531605)
Collection privée, New York
Pace Primitive, New York, 2007 (inv. n° 531605)
Collection privée, New York
Exhibited
New York, The Center for African Art, Wild spirits, strong medicine : African art and the wilderness, 10 mai - 20 août 1989
Houston, The Menil Museum, Art and Power in the Central African Savanna, 26 septembre 2008 - 4 janvier 2009; Cleaveland, Museum of Art, 1 mars - 31 mai 2009; San Francisco, Young Museum, 20 juin - 11 octobre 2009
Houston, The Menil Museum, Art and Power in the Central African Savanna, 26 septembre 2008 - 4 janvier 2009; Cleaveland, Museum of Art, 1 mars - 31 mai 2009; San Francisco, Young Museum, 20 juin - 11 octobre 2009
Literature
Anderson et Kreamer, Wild Spirits, Strong Medicine : African Art and the Wilderness, 1989, p. 124, n° 83
Petridis, Art and Power in the Central African Savanna, 2008, p. 80-81, n° 55
Petridis, Art and Power in the Central African Savanna, 2008, p. 80-81, n° 55
Condition
Very good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Small old patinated gaps to the base. Beautiful nuanced patina which highlights the facets of carving on the wood, especially on the head. Beautiful brown reddish nuances with ooze to the rear
"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."
"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
Le corps radicalement résumé à ses formes essentielles accentue le fulgurant mouvement de la tête tournée à angle droit. A cette extrême tension, amplifiée par le contraste entre la plénitude des volumes et l’épure graphique des traits, répond la force symbolique de l’image - la corne fichée au sommet de la tête rappelant le pouvoir autrefois conféré à cette statuette nkisi. Selon François Neyt (La redoutable statuaire Songye d'Afrique Centrale, 2004, p. 308), les figures Songye à tête tournée relèvent de la deuxième tradition occidentale et proviennent de la région des Milembwe et des Belande. La signification du geste demeure énigmatique. Voir Neyt (idem, n° 13 à 18) pour des statues adoptant la même attitude.