< Previous Songye Next >

Figure, nkisi
Songye
early 20th century
Wood, horn, metal, cloth, turtle shell, cowries, fur
H. 70.5 cm
TC 108

Provenance:
James Willis, San Francisco, 2004
Dalton Somare Gallery, Milan
Lorenzelli Collection, Bergamo
Collected by Karel Plasmans, 1950s
"[Plasmans] was an engineer/agronomist who conducted extensive research in oral history and ethnography in the Songye area. He was particularly interested in Songye carvings. During the years 1955 to 1972 he collected figures and masks accompanied by extensive documentation of magical practices pertaining to these objects." (Sotheby's NY May 19, 2000: lot 72)

Publishing History:
Vittorio Carini. A Hidden Heritage. Sculture Africane in Collezioni Private Italiane. Milan. Galeria Dalton Somaré, 2004: 272 (fig.236).