ZULU STAFF ATTRIBUTED TO THE MASTER OF THE LARGE EYES
SOUTH AFRICA, 19TH CENTURY
Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500
Auction: 13 March 2025 from 13:00 GMT
Description
carved wood, the staff leading to an exceptionally finely carved standing figure, depicted with a slight paunch, arms held at the sides, the distinctive facial features including wide oval eyes dominating the face, framing a broad nose with an open mouth below, raised on a bespoke mount
Dimensions
27cm high
Provenance
Colin Henshaw, Scotland
Bernice and Terry Pethica, United Kingdom
Published:
Conru, African and Oceanic Art, 2004
Klopper, Nettleton and Pethica, The Art of Southern Africa, The Terence Pethica Collection 2007, n° 31
Footnote
“As early as the mid to late nineteenth century, several Zulu carvers living in the Pietermaritzburg and Durban areas of the Colony of Natal began to produce figurative staffs and statuettes inspired by the example of migrant Tsonga sculptors familiar with the tradition of carving didactic works for use in initiation lodges. Because of their close proximity to major colonial centres, these Zulu carvers adapted their skills to serve different markets. Many made works for European buyers while at the same time producing staffs for local African elites. Examples like this one were presumably made for sale either to chiefs or to comparatively wealthy household heads. Although it is not clear precisely what function these staffs might have served, it is fair to assume that they were carried at public functions like weddings and celebrations in honour of the ancestors. As such, these staffs would have drawn attention to the wealth and/or status of the owner.” (Klopper, Nettleton and Pethica 2007)