Ngbandi Amulet, Democratic Republic of the Congo

green painted no. 16 on reverse, pierced and strung with a strap of Domestic Goat (Capra hircus) hide.

Leonard Kahan, New York
Martin Lerner, New York, acquired from the above in March 1980

Very good condition overall for an object of this type and age. Minor nicks, scratches, and abrasions consistent with age and use. Exceptionally fine dark brown patina with traces of kaolin in the eye sockets. Green number "16." painted on reverse. With patinated leather band as seen in photographs.
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.

Burssens (in Grootaers 2007: 117-118) notes: "Each Ngbandi village had one or more lombé (a warrior who had proven his courage and was responsible for watching over the village and taking the lead in combat. [The Belgian missionary Basiel] Tanghe added that a lombé who had killed somebody in extremely dangerous circumstances wore a fruit from the kpwokoro tree on his arm during a battle: 'He who had killed two or three people [in war] would proudly wear that number of fruits on his arm, along with a fetish [...] attached next to them... This attire is called maba.' There are a few known examples of figurative amulets that were collected from the Ngbandi at the time, executed in both wood and ivory."  For several figures with closely related heads featuring the same notched scarification pattern on the bridge of the nose, and several comparable amulets with metal-wrapped handles, see Grootaers (ibid.: 116, fig. 3.6 and 118, figs. 3.8 and 3.9).  For several examples of related Ubangian pendants representing heads, strung on leather straps, and also with the notched scarification, see also Grootaers (ibid: 246-247, figs. 5.15-5.17).