A FINE LUBA STAFF | Christie's

A FINE LUBA STAFF

Details

A FINE LUBA STAFF
The finial carved as a standing female figure on short flexed legs, the arms carved free of the body with the hands held below the breasts which are inset with conical metal studs, the elongated torso with carved lozenges of keloids in relief, raised ridge to hairline, the coiffure and toes pierced for insertion of metal studs of which one remains, horizontal scarification below the navel, spirally carved neck, high domed forehead with pierced cruciform coiffure at the back of the head, copper-binding about the upper shaft, iron lower shaft, fine dark glossy patina with extensive traces of oil
61½in. (156.2cm.) high

Provenance

Théophile Théodore Joseph Antoine, Baron Wahis (1844-1921)
The Weyhe Gallery, New York, 1940
Mrs. George W. Crawford

Lot Essay

Baron Wahis served twice as Governor General of the Congo Free State, 1892-1896 and 1900-1908.
For an almost identical staff by the same hand see Christie's London, July 9, 1974, lot 126.

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