carved wood, the long shaft terminating in a crouched figure finial
Bernice and Terence Pethica Collection, United Kingdom
Peter Adler, London, United Kingdom
Published:
Klopper, Nettleton and Pethica, The Art of Southern Africa, The Terence Pethica Collection, 2007, n° 66
Note:
"Seated figures like this one are said to represent royal ancestors. Their use on staff finials underlines the importance Ovimbindu and neighbouring communities like the Chokwe placed on the role works of art could play in signalling and thereby unholding the powers vested in chiefs." Klopper, Nettleton and Pethica, 2007.
Published:
Klopper, Nettleton and Pethica, The Art of Southern Africa, The Terence Pethica Collection, 2007