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This listing is for a finely carved hardwood sculpture possibly depicting Miko aMablinc maMbul (nyim Mikope Mobinje), the 112th King, Bushoong Dynasty. He is posed in the conventional and traditional style, with idealized traits, seated crossed-legged on a square pedestal (bulell) replicating the padded throne-seat of Kuba kings, with an elaborate carved crisscrossed geometric pattern (ntshuum anyim - the pattern chosen by the king at his coronation) overall. The right hand holds an ikul, a symbol of vigilance to Kuba, with the left hand resting on the same knee. The king wears the royal objects: a headdress with visor (shody) shading the king's face, carved with cowrie shells around symbolizing authority; a carved neck ring; shoulder hoops of decorated cloth on cane over his shoulders, reserved only for kings; arm strings of woven cloth with cowrie shell (mbuum) on his upper arms; bracelets on his wrists; a wide, woven cowrie shell belt criss-crossed over his abdomen; a plaited belt (mwaan-daan), identifies the king as a council member of the highest order; around his waist holding up an elaborate, ceremonial woven cloth (iyeet), only worn at royal ceremonies, covering his buttocks. The body (torso and legs) is understated between the head and the pedestal, his head oversized, as is traditional in all ndop figures, with a well-defined, shaved hairstyle, scarification on both sides of the head, the projecting face is dominant and full with a calm, benign expression, the eyes almond-shaped and closed, the lips full and relaxed. It is gently used with a blemish to the back of his hat as shown in photo #14. This remarkable figure measures 14.5” high x 4.25” wide x 3.9” depth, and weighs 1.7 kilograms.
Take a look at the photos as they tell so much more than we can articulate; and zoom in for a closer look at any and all condition issues.
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