This is the rating and price for Mbole Wood Figure

Description : Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lomami River region, Mbole peoples, ca. 19th century CE. A fascinating, hand-carved, wood figure known as an Ofika and intended to represent a hanged man. This style of figure is central to the initiation practices of the law enforcement association, called Lilwa, in Mbole society. The stylized figure displays a slender body with slightly bent legs, jutting feet, square shoulders, broad arms, and a prominent phallus. Supported by a thick neck, his petite head presents an abstract visage nearly devoid of features, save for a horizontal and a vertical crest that come to a point at the center, just above a pair of incised, horizontal striations, and capped with a helmet-like coiffure or headdress with a flat top. Size: 3.1 W x 12.4 H (7.9 cm x 31.5 cm), 13.8 H (35.1 cm) on included custom stand. All of the young men and the daughters of the highest-ranking members of the society were inducted into Lilwa. They were isolated in a lodge in the forest and guided by an older person as they completed a series of trials. A sculpture like this one is from the final moments of the ritual, what they have been leading up to through all of their trials, when the new initiates are allowed to see and touch the symbolic objects of the Lilwa society. From this, they learned how to be moral actors, and were cautioned against adultery, stealing, and lying. They would also witness the punishment for breaking the rules - public hangings, after which, sculptures like this one were carved, often representing known individuals. Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, ex-private California, USA collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm. Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #164756
Price: 0.00 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 1400 USD-2100 USD It's free to register now to view!

Details