**Originally Listed At $4500**

Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, ca. last quarter 19th to 1st quarter 20th century. Incredibly rare and fine carved wooden Nkonde "Vili" power figure. Carved from single piece of wood, with inset original glass eyes (incredibly rare to find) with added black pigmentation to face, the body developing nice darkened patina. Once holding magical fetish materials at his chest, now missing but still so rare to find especially given that this was shown in an Austrian photograph dating to 1914. That depth of provenance is so rarely seen, especially in African art. Size: 5" W x 11" H (12.7 cm x 27.9 cm)

These Vili figures often hammer at Christie's and Sotheby's in the 6 figure range and it is virtually impossible to find such a figure below $20,000 - and that is without photographic provenance to the 1st quarter of the 20th century!

Provenance: private Pasadena, California, USA collection with photo showing piece dating to 1914 in Austria

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#157436

Missing chest ornament, repair across feet (with old tape on the base) and on section of headdress, crack down left proper side of face.