Belle statue fétiche , Songye, République Démocratique du Congo

Pierre Dartevelle, Bruxelles
Sotheby's, New York, 15 Mai 2003, n° 76

Very good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes 's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Aussi puissante soit-elle, la sculpture - conçue en une juxtaposition de plans anguleux et de courbes serrées - s'efface presque devant la force du visage, bouleversé par la tension exprimée dans le dessin de la bouche.

Le trait.mes nt du visage porte ainsi à son plus haut degré le talent des sculpteurs Songye de la région des Eki et des Kalwebe. cf. Neyt (2004 : 312-313) pour la définition du style décrit par l'auteur comme la "troisième tradition occidentale", empruntant ici aux Kalwebe la tête aux volumes arrondis, joues anguleuses, barbe rectangulaire et formes épannelées, et aux Eki la puissance et la sensibilité de la bouche.

Bien que sa dimension soit relativement petite par rapport au corpus, elle se rattache sans aucun doute aux statues nkisi destinées à protéger l'ensemble de la communauté. Elle a conservé, incorporée au sommet de la tête, sa charge rituelle composée par le devin (nganga), garante de l'efficacité de la statue. La patine sombre et huileuse, mettant en valeur la remarquable tension du visage, atteste son utilisation répétée, probablement pendant plusieurs générations.

A fine Songe power figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The power of the figure's body, conceived in a juxtaposition of angular planes and tight carves is almost overcome by the great strength of the face and the enormous tension suggested by the design of the mouth.

The treatment of the face provides the most striking illustration of the talent of Songe artists from the Eki and Kalwebe areas. cf. Neyt (2004: 312-313) for the definition of the style which the author describes as the 'third western tradition', which borrows from the Kalwebe the rounded volumes of head, the angular cheeks, and rectangular beard, whilst the power and sensitivity of the mouth are taken from the Eki.

Although the offered figure is fairly small compared with many works of this type, it was undoubtedly created to protect an entire community. At the top of the head it retains the ritual charge prepared by the soothsayer (nganga) to ensure the figure's effectiveness. The dark and oily patina, which emphasises the remarkable tension of the face, attests to the figure's prolonged use, probably over the course of several generations.