Amulet
Songye, DRC 19th Century
Previous Collection: Frank Crowninshield, NYC
Exhibited: Brooklyn Museum, 1937
Published: "Art News" 4/24/37
Published: African Sculpture Speaks, Segy, 1952
Michael Oliver, NYC

Carved from a hippopotamus tooth this rare amulet has a strong aesthetic presence and fantastic pedigree. Using the natural form of the tooth this amulet has a curvature that is both pure and elegant. It is decorated with a deep circle dot pattern and surmounted by a classic Songye head. The patina is smooth to the touch from generations of handling, and the attachment holes are equally heavily worn. This amulet may have been strung with others like it, onto a necklace.

This object stands 6.5" tall
5-2-12/ SOLD