Songye Power Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo

with an African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) horn attached at the right arm, a strap with African Royal Python (Python regius) skin across the chest, a quiver on the left shoulder covered with Reedbuck Antelope (Redunca redunca) hide, and a Reedbuck Antelope (Redunca redunca) horn surmounting the head.

Alain de Monbrison, Paris
Allan Stone, New York, acquired from the above on April 22, 1987

Good condition for an object of this type, age, and materials, including numerous original attachments. Minor age cracks including a vertical crack to center of reverse. Age crack running diagonally from proper right front of integrally-carved plinth back between the legs, with eroded cavity inside and erosion around the bottom edge. Proper left eye missing bulbous element as seen in catalogue illustration. Some elements of metal-blade 'tiara' missing. Horns with small chips. Fiber, hide, and reptile skin attachments are dry and fragile. Fine dark brown aged glossy patina. Drilled and fitted with a square metal sleeve for attachment to modern wood base. Base is wobbly on spinning platform.
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.

The present statue is embellished both with receptacles for magic substances, bishimba--in the form of necklace-bundles and a large, hollow buffalo horn--and also with representational attributes of a warrior-hunter: a goatskin quiver hangs from the shoulder, and was presumably once accompanied by a bow and arrows.  The ritual specialist has also appropriated the genuine results of the hunt, incorporating an antelope horn and a large buffalo horn into the assemblage.  Thus the figure assumes the character of the warrior-hunter hero and also adopts the qualities of his quarry, drawing strength from their most powerful attributes.

The sculptural style of the present figure relates to the corpus of an unidentified, probably Songye-Kalebwe master sculptor known from several closely related examples in western collections and given the conventional name "Master of the Bulbous Copper Eyes" (see Dumouchelle 2011: 50).  Attributes shared with that corpus include the tall, ringed cylindrical neck, projecting trapezoidal chin, and protruding round metal eyes.