A Songye Male ‘Power’ Figure

A South Eastern Congo, Zaire Songye Protective Fetish Figure ‘Nkishi’ of Geometric Form the arms placed to the side A plug of fetish material in the head cavity a strip of old hide and fur around the waist Old smooth crusted patination 19th Century – Early 20th Century Size: 20cm high – 8 ins high / 29.5cm high, 11½ ins high (including stand) The face of this protective figure is typical of the strong angularity of Songye carving. Amongst the Songye ‘Nkishi’ were associated with a magico-religious society known as ‘bukisi’ which controlled initiation camps and circumcision ceremonies. A shaman would ritually add magical substances ‘bashimba’ to activate the figure as a source of power that would give protection and ensure well-being. Larger figures ensured the tranquillity of the whole community and promoted village fecundity and fertility. Smaller personal or family ‘Nkishi’ were used for protection against illness, sorcery, witchcraft, and war and to promote fertility. Due to their considerable powers the figures were considered dangerous and so they were manoeuvred by means of rods or sticks attached to their arms. They were sometimes made to walk as if on parade. These small half figures were not always used as personal protective devices, but were placed in gourd bowls and used by diviners to communicate with the supernatural world. These divinatory calabash were filled with a number of symbolic objects such as chicken claws, teeth, stones, seeds, etc., as well as carved wooden figures. The Songye’s ritual use of calabash can be compared with the baskets used by the Tshokwe. Provenance: Ex English Private collection Acquired 1950’s Ex Finch and Co...

An Exceptional Eastern Cape Nguni Pipe Bowl and Stem Wood, metal Old inscription and dated: ‘1892’ South Africa 19th Century Size: 45.5cm long - 18 ins long Published: ‘The ...

A Rare and Extremely Fine South African Tsonga Prestige Staff by the ‘Baboon Master’ Depicting a Zulu elder wearing a head-ring Superb silky reddish brown patina Late 19th Century ...

A Very Fine and Rare Headrest ‘Kali’ or ‘Kalimasi’ / ‘Kali Toloni’ Bamboo, wood, coconut ‘sennet’ fibre The ‘cross-bar’ (rest) engraved with triangular design reminiscent of ‘Tapa Cloth’ Two old paper labels, one stating African origin Superb colour and patina from age and use Tonga 18th - early 19th Century SIZE: 12.5cm high, 44cm long - 5 ins high, 17¼ ins long PROVENANCE: Tennant’s Auction Rooms, Yorkshire, July 2009, lot 314, entered privately from the grand daughter and descendant of an eccentric antiques dealer from Harrogate, who used to ride around the town in a ‘trap’ pulled by a zebra ! to the amusement of the townsfolk William Young (auctioneer, dealer, collector) died 1930’s Miss Young (grand-daughter) Ex Finch and Co...

A Rare and Exceptional Carved Headrest ‘Kali Hahapo’ Excellent colour and patina Wood, sennet (coconut fibre), glass beads Tonga Late 18th / Early 19th Century SIZE: 19cm high, 5...

A Rare and Historically Important Artefact Recovered from HMS Adventure in 1775 after Captain James Cook’s Second Voyage to the Pacific A ‘coconut husker’ made by a ship’s carpenter aboard HMS Adventure in the style and design of a Native Islander’s ethnographical ‘coconut husker’ An engraved and inscribed copper plaque: A memento from The Sandwich Islands Coconut Husker used aboard HMS Adventure and recovered from The Royal Dockyard Deptford 1775 Oak, iron, brass, copper, handmade iron screws Fine rich colour and patina England / Sandwich Island 18th Century SIZE: 15.5cm high, 49.5cm long, 20cm wide (max) - 6¹⁄₈ ins high, 19½ ins long, 7⁷⁄₈ ins wide (max) Provenance: Found in a Scottish attic after centuries of lying hidden in a crate Ex Private Scottish collection Captain James Cook’s second voyage aboard the Resolution and accompanied by HMS Adventure set sail in July 1772. The discovery of the southern eight islands of the Sandwich Islands group was in 1775. The given name was chosen in honour of John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, First Lord of the Admiralty. The copper plaque and inscription however should not be read as The Sandwich Islands ‘Owhyhee’ (The Hawaiian Islands) which were later discovered on January 18th, 1778, on Captain Cook’s third voyage. Rather the inscription refers to ‘South Sandwich Islands’ lying to the south east of South Georgia and only renamed later with the word ‘South’ to distinguish them from the ‘Sandwich Islands’ now known as the Hawaiian Islands. Not withstanding during Cook’s second voyage he visited Easter Island, Tahiti, Society Islands, Niue, Tonga, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Norfolk Islands, Palmerston Island and South Georgia. The crew onboard having been exposed to various types of ‘coconut huskers’ adapted those designs into the example we now see, having been rescued from HMS Adventure in 1775. A rare example of 18th century cross...

A rare and large hand carved horned Songye Nkisi power figure. A ‘Nkisi’ is a protective power figure of the Songye, southeastern Congo. Such sculptures are used as a major role in t...

Songye Power Figure NKISI Provenance: - Private collection, London, United Kingdom Songye Power Sculpture Like the Kongo and other related Bantu cul...

Carved wood standing female figure with projecting stomach, attached horn on top of head, and hair in form of small hand shaped copper pieces. Old glass beads around arm and neck. It...

This elaborate Janus statue is a rare example of an Ibibio free-standing figure to recall a well-defined ancestor in what seems a European outfit .The Ibibios lend supernatural power...

A beautiful modern piece of sculpture of a distinguished gentleman. Executed by a Makonde master carver in ebony. Well dressed, complete with cuffs, creases and shoes.

Exceptionally beautiful museum quality wood carving of a male ancestral type figure with perfectly aged original surface color patina. Ink stamped on underside West Indies and old pa...