This powerful and early figurative has a wonderful sense of presence. Carved from a dense hard wood, the figure is depicted standing in an upright position with slightly crouched and apart legs, holding a pipe in one hand, and his genitals in the other. The exact history, purpose and ethnic origin of this piece is not known, however, this figure has been published in 'The Art of Southern Africa - The Terence Pethica Collection' (no.49) and has been attributed as Makonde, possibly nineteenth-century, and ex Kevin Conru. The caption next to the piece in the book reads as follows:
' Male Figure. Makonde. Possibly 19th Century. Wood. Initiation of both men and women in Southern Africa often involved the use of wooden figures. Much of this instruction centred on sexual mores and behaviour and so many of the figures used in initiations had explicit genitals. This figure is one of these instruction models, but its style is difficult to place. The treatment of the face [especially the protruding ears] and the gestures suggest that it is Makonde'.
Another take on the possible purpose of this piece, which backs up the above, comes from 'Encyclopaedia of African Art and Culture' by Karl- Ferdinand Schaedler (p.586):
'it is suggested that Tsonga-speakers who migrated into this area in the early 19th century have adopted this principle when they attended the initiations for men conducted by such north-Sotho-speaking groups as the Lobedu, Kgaga and Pedi, and then consequently adopted these ceremonies themselves. Figures were used in the instruction of initiates, young men passing from youth to manhood'.
Estimated Period: Late 19th Century/Early 20th Century
Ex Kevin Conru, Brussels
Ex Terence Pethica Collection, UK
Published in 'The Art of Southern Africa. The Terence Pethica Collection', p. 120
PRICE ON REQUEST.
TO GET AN INSTANT RESPONSE WITH THE PRICE ON THIS PIECE CLINK ON THE 'SEND DETAILS' BUTTON BELOW.
(Click on images to enlarge)
