Items Similar to Nomoli - Carved Stone Figurine, Kissi People, Sierra Leone, 19th Century
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
Nomoli - Carved Stone Figurine, Kissi People, Sierra Leone, 19th Century
About the Item
A Nomoli is a carved stone figurine native to Sierra Leone and Liberia. They are usually made of soapstone, limestone, or granite.
The carving depicts a woman in a dress and choker, holding probably holding some ritual sacrifice in her hands. Grayish patina with traces of abrasion, parts of the nose are missing.
The Kissi and Mende ethnic groups were spread throughout Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The Kissi believed that ancestral spirits act as mediators between them and the creator god. Such stone statues were used during fertility rites to grant a good rich harvest (round belly) or give them good health.
The piece has been extensively handled and has acquired a considerable patina.
The numbers are the inventory numbers from Penn State University and Lehigh University. Exhibited: The Pennsylvania State University - Museum of Art permanent collection; The Lehigh University - Art Galleries permanent collection.
Provenance: The collection of Dr and Mrs John E. Swanson. Dr John Swanson and his wife Marian lived from 1966 - 1981 in Lagos, Nigeria where Dr Swanson was the Advisor to the National Universities Commission and later on the Chief Planning Officer of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
During their time in Africa, the Swansons started to collect African art. In 1973 a part of their collection, circa 120 pieces went on loan to The Pennsylvania State University Museum of Art, where they remained until 1978.
In 1981 Dr Swanson passed away and his wife Marian never returned to Africa. In 1982 Mrs Swanson lent 130 pieces to the Lehigh University Art Gallery where they remained until 1987. A few pieces were also lent to Lafayette College - Williams Art Center for an exhibition titled "Plainly Geometric - Selections of Art from West Africa".
In 2018 Mrs Swanson passed away.
- Dimensions:Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)Diameter: 6.3 in (16 cm)
- Style:Tribal (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. The statue is in its original condition, please refer to the detailed photos for scratches, marks, abrasions, etc A part of the nose is missing. The piece has been extensively handled and has acquired a considerable patina.
- Seller Location:Aramits, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6432238827572
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2008
1stDibs seller since 2022
14 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Nomoli - Carved Stone Figurine, Kissi People, Sierra Leone, 19th CenturyLocated in Aramits, Nouvelle-AquitaineA Nomoli is a carved stone figurine native to Sierra Leone and Liberia. They are usually made of soapstone, limestone, or granite. The carving depicts a man holding his belly with a...Category
Antique 19th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsStone, Soapstone
- Bronze Currency Bracelet/Manilla, Beri People, Sudan, 19th Century - No 2Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-AquitaineEarly to mid-19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in circle form. Intricate graphical geometrical. This type of bracelet was worn/used by the Zaghawa People also called Bé...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Sudanese Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsBronze
- Bronze Currency Bracelet/Manilla, Beri People, Sudan, 19th Century - No 1Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-AquitaineEarly to mid-19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in circle form. Intricate graphical geometrical. This type of bracelet was worn/used by the Zaghawa People also called Bé...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Sudanese Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsBronze
- Bronze Currency Bracelet/Manilla, Dogon People, Burkina Faso, 19th CenturyLocated in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical swirl design and tips are shaped with large flat ends with 5 beads on each s...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Burkinabe Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsBrass
- Solid Brass/Nickel Alloy Cuff Bracelet, Nupe People, Nigeria, 19th/20th CenturyBy NupeLocated in Aramits, Nouvelle-AquitaineLate 19th or early 20th-century brass or copper alloy with higher nickel content. Bracelet in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Pierced design with rectangular shapes and carved swi...Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsBrass, Nickel
- Ashanti Bronze Figurine, Asante People, Ghana, 1950sBy Akan AshantiLocated in Aramits, Nouvelle-AquitaineAkan Ashanti cast bronze figurine. The Ashanti or Asante People from Ghana have a rich tradition of crafting bronze pieces to commemorate important figures from their culture or peop...Category
Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsBronze
You May Also Like
- 19th Century Hammer Currency, Ensuba, Bafia People, CameroonLocated in Point Richmond, CA19th century hammer currency, Ensuba, Bafia People, Cameroon Sometimes referred to as potato masher currency, but known to the Bafia people as ensuba,...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Cameroonian Tribal Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic
- Early 20th Century East African Carved Headrest, Ethiopia (Kambatta People)Located in Ottawa, OntarioShowing a crescent shaped headrest braced by flattened 'V' shaped supports rising from a cupped base, decorated overall with hand carved linear motifs and exhibiting an old rubbed su...Category
Early 20th Century Ethiopian Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsWood
- 19th Century Zanzibar ChestLocated in Pasadena, CAThis is a very good example of a 19th century Zanzibar storage chest. The chest was created in the mid-19th century. The teak case is adorned with cut and open work brass strapping i...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Zanzibari Tribal Blanket Chests
MaterialsBrass
- 19th Century Ethiopian ThroneLocated in London, GBThis large, impressive nineteenth-century Ethiopian throne, from the Wollega Oromo culture, features a high, upright back-rest. An attractive cut-ou...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Ethiopian Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsWood
- Large 19th Century Wooden MortarLocated in Chicago, ILA large 19th century Central American wooden mortar with a beautifully hand-hewn texture and a well worn finish. Mortars like these were used to crush grains, spices, herbs, and othe...Category
Antique 19th Century Central American Tribal Decorative Bowls
MaterialsWood
- Statue Nkishi People Songye / Songe - Dr Congo African Art Late 19th centuryLocated in Leuven, BEOld / Authentic And Rare Nkishi Statue Songye / Dream People - Dr Congo African Art Period: Late 19th century Height: 17 cm Very beautiful red patina...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Congolese Tribal Art
MaterialsHardwood