RARE BOCIO FIGURE BENIN W AFRICA LATE 19TH C ANTIQUE VOODOO DOLL, W/WRAPPED CORD

Description

RARE
BOCIO
FIGURE,
BENIN,
WES
T AFR
ICA
LATE 19TH
to
EARLY 20TH CENTURY
ANTIQUE HAND CARVED FIGURATIVE HUMAN FIGURE
or
'VOODOO DOLL,'
with
WRAPPED HEMP CORD, VEGETABLE BASED PAINT,
AFFIXED SHELLS, EMBEDDED NAILS
on
WOODEN FORM,
DOUBLE PORPUPINE QUILLS
as
SPEARS
&
WRAPPED
HEADDRESS
on
BLACK ENAMEL PAINTED, CHAMFERED
WOODEN PLINTH BLOCK STAND
[Estate fresh & new to the marketplace. Absolutely in original condition & untouched & unadulterated]
(Circa 1885-1925)
Late 19th to early 20th century
Benin,
Wes
t Afr
ica
antique hand decorated, cord wrapped,
wooden 'voodoo dolls'
DIMENSIONS:
9
⅞" Height x 3
½" Width x 3" Depth
Weight:
10 oz.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The 'Bocio' figurative doll, or colloquially better known in the West as an African voodoo doll, is quite literally an empowered cadaver, and is related to 'Vodun,' which is an African religious belief in mysterious forces that rule and govern the entire world and the actual lives of those who exist in it. Vodun carved wooden sculptures not only give sanctuary and protect human beings but also give them life force and are believed to empower them. Twisted, coarse hemp cord and other bindings are very noticeable and prominent characteristic features of Bocio figurative human sculpture and are possibly references to the historical trauma resulting from centuries of perpetual violence suffered by African indigenous tribal peoples at the hands of European slave traders, that affected the area of their production and use. Benin, West African Bocio antique figurative dolls offered a tactile, physical and quite potent strategy for dealing with, fending off and successfully responding to the difficulties many Africans faced as a result of the European slave trade. The Bocio was therefore, perhaps a direct indigenous response to the forces that were seen as only bringing them pain, separation, disease and hopelessness. The Bocio or figurative voodoo doll was their attempt to strike back at their invaders and marauders. Estate fresh and in wonderfully well-preserved antique condition. Very rare.
DESCRIPTION:
Offered for your review and consideration is this near museum quality and incredibly well-preserved, late 19th to early 20th century Bocio hand carved wooden figure or as referred to colloquially in the West as a 'voodoo doll,' is bound by coarse hemp fiber cord wrapped around nearly the entire figure. The image of a deceased warrior is seen, with a pair of porcupine quills acting as long spears, held to each side of the form by the hemp cord. The figure also has shells affixed to its body, as well as coarse linen fabric, which is painted or dyed orange in areas. The entire standing wooden figure rests on a chamfered, black enamel painted wood plinth block base. The male figure is wearing what appears to be a headdress, with the two pointed ends of each porcupine quill or spear, menacingly appearing on both sides of the figure's head. The figure's face is completely hand carved, with the figure's eyes appearing closed, as if in repose or in death.
Potent, authentic, original and very rare. An exciting nearly 100 to 120 year old artifact. Magnificent.
CONDITION:
Very Good to Excellent overall antique condition.