[1]

female antelope with child on her back.

[1]

Surmounted by a female head, glossy patina.

[1]

surmounted by an anthropomorphic head with metal eyes.

[1]

[2]

Dressed in a cowry shell cloak.

[1]

[1]

(string breakage)

[1]

[3]

with brown, blue, white and black pigments.

[1]

the t-shaped body with elaboratly carved neck.

[1]

The present item belongs to a small corpus of enigmatic Songye sculptures with heads dramatically turned to one side. The purpose for which these mankishi were intended has not yet been elucidated. A deep blackish patina covers most parts of the body, the result of many palm oil treatments resulting in a head still covered in this viscous liquid. The face has a benign expression with half closed eyes and a smiling mouth. The body is shaped as a half-figure with a strong emphasis on geometric forms: a strong tubular neck stands on a slightly waisted torso, the free carved arms issue from rectangular shoulders and the lower body is conceived as a trapezoid with flattened back. Details as fingers, toes, sex and hairdo are left-out. By doing so the artist/specialist was able to carve a powerful vessel for the special ingredients, bishimba, found in the two cavities in the belly and fontanel. Within the examples published, this item has a unique quality.

[1]

in the shape of a female body with low relief decoration of two figures holding a hart and various animal figures. With red, black and white paint. (one foot partly restored.

four with covers with leather bindings, two with religious paintings in the front

[5]

with free carved arms, hands touching the abdomen. With white and black pigment.

[2]

[1]

[23]

elongated mask with two carved seated figures and a overhanging banana tree. With remnants of pigments and grey encrusted patina.

[1]

male and female, decorated with glass bead necklace, and strings of cowrie shells.

[2]

some with remants of pigments.

[7]

in three parts, decorated with various carved portrets and surmounted with a sculpture of a lion.

[1]

with a large blade and wooden handle.

[1]

No. 15/21/22/23/24/35 - 92/97-102

[69]

with a metal pin and animal hide on top.

[1]

wearing a headdress, holding two staffs and wearing a robe with ornaments in high relief. On a tapered stand.

[1]

with a double bulbouw wooden hilt decorated with copper nails. The blade with fine engraving.

[1]

surmounted with a standing female figure.

[1]

with elaborate hairstyle, inserted wooden pegs, wooden teeth, metal pins and painted accents.

[1]

surrounded by a disc shape of bound plant fiber, metal rings and and seed caps. Figure holding a small child. With layers of offerings.

[1]

[1]

showing a large curved beak with rows of small holes on the inside and remnants of pigments and offerings.

[1]

[1]

[1]

with wrought iron points and Ngbandi, carved wooden shaft.

[4]

both with bound leather on the shaft.

[2]

the wooden shafts decorated with copper windings.

[2]

[2]

[box]

[box]

[box]

hands touching the tip of the beard, the back with white dots

[1]

with encrusted grey patina.

[1]

the elaborate hairdo in tresses and a high crest, trimmed with cotton strips and panels.

[1]

[4]

[5]

[2]

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