| Kongo ivory figure |
| Kongo ivory figure 5.5" tall I love the simpleness in the form and the wonderful stance of this small figure. I saw it and it immediately caught my eye. The coloration of the figure is a little darker than shown in the photos. It is my belief that this figure would have originally been used for the top of a staff. I have provided an example and information below the photos to support my thoughts. This piece is no longer in my collection Click on any photo to see larger version. |
| African ivory is reputed to be the best in the world, it is harder than Indian ivory and takes a finer polish. Ivory used to be seen as a material of great prestige and power, and as such has huge significance in the art of many areas of the world. Its value as an article of trade, its identification with the elephant, and also its physical properties, has led to its prolific use within art, especially throughout the continent of Africa. Ivory is made up of thousands upon thousands of minute tubes which run the length of the tusk. This composition is what gives ivory its extreme density and strength. When fresh, these pores are filled with an oily substance, which makes carving easier Newly cut African ivory is pale blonde in colour and fades when exposed to strong light. Conversely, if it is worn against the skin or frequently handled, African ivory tends to take on a yellowish brown appearance, and the colour can also be changed by treatment with different substances. Ivory in African art comes in a vast array of colours. Click on any photo to see high a resolution version |
| My Kongo and Songye ivory figures together. |
| Additional information and an example that supports my thoughts that my figure was probably used as the finial on a staff |
| Staff finial (mvuala) Kongo peoples Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, Angola 16th-19th century Ivory, ceramic, camwood, resin H x W x D: 16.5 x 5.1 x 6 cm (6 1/2 x 2 x 2 3/8 in.) National Museum for African Art purchase 85-15-4 Among the Kongo peoples, carved wooden staffs with figurative tops and pointed iron ends were emblems of a ruler's power and wealth. A staff might be presented to a future chief at his initiation, and some were inherited. On staffs such as these, the tops were separately carved ivory figures; the red color is the result of added pigment and age. The value of ivory as a material is universally appreciated. Ivory refers to the blatant physical power of the elephant as a creature who cannot be controlled, who can kill a man. The features of this standing figure are smoothed with age and use, but the mouth with the prominent chipped front teeth suggests a Kongo man, as does the beardless chin. The blue eyes and clothes, however, are European. The high-collared jacket, brimmed hat and earrings were part of the costume of a European male during the time of early contact. While the exact style of trouser is undetermined, it is clearly not a Kongo wrapped garment. The Portuguese first entered the Kongo kingdom in 1482; by 1500 the Kongo king had been converted; and by 1550 churches and a cathedral had been built in the Kongo capital city of San Salvador, renamed from Mbanza Kongo. In addition to ordinary commercial trading, high-level diplomatic exchanges were made between the Kongo and the Portuguese courts. European-style clothing and hats were gifts and trade items, and their artistic representations continued long after the time of actual use had passed. |
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