Songye Craftsmen

Statue Songye, Republic of Congo, Misangu Glass Beads & Chiefly Raffia Skirt

A Songye Male Power Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the male figure resting on one knee, with openwork arms and hands resting by the abdomen which contains various charms a...

Mid 20th Century sgraffito work on plaster by Jean Pierre de Cayeux. The work is signed and dated on the skirt of the card player, bottom right, and on the stretcher of the chair, bo...

Large, Neapolitan, late 19th Century hardwood sculpture of a camel. Artist unknown. A beautifully patinated hardwood sculpture. The sculpture is extremely charming and having been handled for over a century has a lovely warm and tactile patina. It is particularly nice too see the work of the craftsperson in the adze and chisel marks along the body of the sculpture. The Italians and most notably the area around Naples has a long and storied tradition in the creation of sculptures for Nativity Scenes. This camel is both an endearing item and a piece of social history. A wonderful addition in its own right to the traditional Christmas scene, by tradition this sculpture was used as a maquette for the production of papier-maché models used in Christmas Creches which have such a long tradition in Italy and throughout the world. Wonderfully carved this piece was used to create hollow models out of papier-maché which were more affordable for this Christmas tradition. Hundreds of strips of papier-maché would be layered onto the figure in all directions. Then using a sharp tool the papier-maché was pushed into all the crevices of the sculpture to give it crisp detail. Once the layers of paper were dry the papier-maché was cut at certain points and lifted off the sculpture. Then finally the resulting body parts were glued back together, painted and patinated ready to be placed in the crèche scene. In the Christian tradition, a nativity scene (also known as a manger scene...

A 20th Century wood carved male figure, a 'Cigar Store Indian' with original polychrome decoration. A now controversial subject, but none the less charming rendition, of a native North American man originally probably used as an advertising figure. Wonderful quality of carving capturing the stance of the man looking out to the distance, hair flowing to his back and plait to the side, all the details of his costume, his native dress and hairpipe breastplate (suggesting he is possibly a Comanche) and chest ornament, apron, trousers, mocassins, shield and arrows. The original Polychrome decoration has weathered beautifully as has the wood itself to present a sculpture that would adorn any collection or interior. Because of the general illiteracy of the populace, early store owners used descriptive emblems or figures to advertise their shops' wares. American Indians and tobacco had always been associated because American Indians introduced tobacco to Europeans. As early as the 17th century, European tobacconists used figures of American Indians to advertise their shops. Because European carvers had never seen a Native American, these early cigar-store "Indians" looked more like Africans with feathered headdresses and other fanciful, exotic features. These carvings were called "Black Boys" or "Virginians" in the trade. Eventually, the European cigar-store figure...

"Maternity-Bacongo, Zaire," is a carved wood and glass sculpture created in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo circa 1940. The nude, woman figure rests on her knees. In her...

"Laughing Sisters" bronze sculpture on wooden base by artist R. C. Gorman. Signed R.C. Gorman, dated '81 and annotated E.P.I. near base. Artist's proof Edition Press Impression aside...

"Kota Reliquary Figure Nigeria" is a wood and copper sculpture created in Nigeria circa 1970. A head is made with wide red eyes. Their hair is in...

Antique Polychrome Wood Carving Igbo Nigeria Africa, Staff decorated with two figures, mounted as a finial on the shaft terminating in a triang...