4X lot Mbuti fertility statuettes - Wood - Pere Bambuti pigmies - statuette - figure - Zande Azande - Ituri forest - D. R. of Congo

4X lot fertility statuettes from Mbuti pygmies, Ituri forest, D. R. of Congo. Estimated age: 1930-1940. The statuettes are two male and two female. Dimensions: male #1: width: 17. 5 cm; height: 19. 5 cm; depth: 10. 7 cm; male #2: width: 11. 9 cm; height: 12. 9 cm; depth: 6. 4 cm; female #1: width: 12. 1 cm; height: 12. 8 cm; depth: 7. 9 cm; female #2: width: 12. 4 cm; height: 15. 7 cm; depth: 7. 7 cm. Provenance: collected on early fifties by comboni fathers in Ituri. Materials: wood, riverbed clay, forest clay, iron, natural pigments (indigofera tinctoria, annatto) . The statuettes have been covered in the course of time by libations and offerings, as well as sacrificial materials, showing a deep encrusted patina. Overall condition: the statuettes show deep use; three of them have small cracks on arms and feet, but they're still entire and without any missing parts; all the statuettes are in good condition and well preserved. These are unique items, very hard to find. Mbuti pygmies don't commerce these statuettes. Only few examples have been catalogued in western museums. Possibly they're not in use anymore among the Bambuti. Delivery by registered international letter.