A RARE SOUTHERN AFRICA FIGURE, standing with the arms separately carved and held by a nail, the feet similarly treated, the face with triangular nose, small mouth and tin discs for eyes, high blue bead choker held by ivory toggle with engraved border, many beaded strands about the loins to retain skin cover with long falling panel at rear, the whole with darkened surface except the face | Christie's

Lot 82

A RARE SOUTHERN AFRICA FIGURE, standing with the arms separately carved and held by a nail, the feet similarly treated, the face with triangular nose, small mouth and tin discs for eyes, high blue bead choker held by ivory toggle with engraved border, many beaded strands about the loins to retain skin cover with long falling panel at rear, the whole with darkened surface except the face

Details

A RARE SOUTHERN AFRICA FIGURE, standing with the arms separately carved and held by a nail, the feet similarly treated, the face with triangular nose, small mouth and tin discs for eyes, high blue bead choker held by ivory toggle with engraved border, many beaded strands about the loins to retain skin cover with long falling panel at rear, the whole with darkened surface except the face
44cm. high

Lot Essay

The miniature toggle on the beaded choker would indicate that the figure was probably carved in Angola or adjacent Namibia, but a Tanzanian origin should not be ruled out - cf. a Sukuma figure illustrated by Holas, 1967, no. 34

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