{"product_id":"songye-fetish-figure-decorated-with-metal-congo-rohner-collection-157537","title":"Songye Fetish Figure Decorated with Metal Congo Rohner Collection","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Songye fetish figure from the Democratic Republic of the Congo features a standing male form decorated with metal elements, reflecting the distinctive sculptural traditions of the Songye people. The figure's strongly articulated body and expressive facial features create a striking presence, while the metal adornments add texture and visual contrast to the carved wooden surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Songye are a Bantu-speaking people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, renowned for their powerful figural sculptures and ritual objects. Among their most recognized works are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNkishi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e figures, which traditionally serve spiritual and protective purposes within the community. These figures are often prepared and activated by ritual specialists known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNganga\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, who use prayers, sacred knowledge, and ritual substances to address matters such as protection, healing, misfortune, and communication with the spirit world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSongye sculpture is known for its bold forms, geometric facial features, and incorporation of materials associated with ritual significance. The metal decoration on this figure adds to its distinctive appearance, showcasing the combination of woodcarving and applied materials found in Songye artistic traditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1564\" data-start=\"1039\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmall cracks, chips, and scuffs throughout; well-worn patina. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance: John R. Rohner Collection\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/i\u003eRohner, a museum curator for decades, aimed his practiced eye for authenticity to African art beginning in the early 1980s. His passion for this art only grew through the decades he built his collection––always with an aim for a broad and representative array of pieces. The collection appears in his book, \u003ci\u003eArt Treasures from African Runners\u003c\/i\u003e (2000, University Press of Colorado). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem #511 on pg. 207\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Polaris-Box\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_ActivatorWrapper_36nu6_55\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"PRODUCT.metafields.custom.height_in_-anchor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"button\" class=\"_ActivatorButton_36nu6_59\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_RowWrapper_36nu6_4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_FormFieldLabel_36nu6_30\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--bodyMd\"\u003eHeight (In) 12.75\u003cbr\u003eWidth (In) 4.25\u003cbr\u003eDepth (In) 4.0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e157537\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"sku 157000","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52462527349031,"sku":"157537","price":210.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1015\/9911\/files\/IMG_3908_8cb27dd3-df71-4654-b627-db26cf80e5f0.jpg?v=1793116914","url":"https:\/\/africadirect.com\/products\/songye-fetish-figure-decorated-with-metal-congo-rohner-collection-157537","provider":"Africa Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}