Nyamwezi Thin Figures Black Tanzania Africa WAS $125. 00
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:5418 | Color: Black |
| Material: Wood | Maker: Nyamwezi Artisan - Africa |
| Original/Reproduction: Original |
TitleNyamwezi Pair of Thin Figures Black Tanzania AfricaType of ObjectCarving, Figure, Statue, SculptureCountry of OriginTanzaniaPeopleNyamweziMaterialsWood, pigmentApproximate Age20th centuryOther DimensionsWidth: 2-3 Inches
Each figure is about 59-63" tall;Overall ConditionGood. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.  Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a norm...al part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use. We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings. Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.Damage/RepairGeneral wear, see pictures for details. Picture is an example, yours will be similar You are buying one male figure and one female figure. Picture is an example, yours will be similar.We can not ship this item internationally. Additional Information: These figures are used by water diviners according to Jean-Baptist Bacquart (1998: 223). Further research is to be conducted to determine the use and function of these figures also referred as staff (see Kerchache, Jacques, and Al., 1988, p. 468).The Nyamwezi are known for their carving that is at best roughly executed and relatively sparsely described in the literature of East African art. However there are a number of uses given to sculpted figures among the Nyamwezi including witchcraft, magic and social entertainment. Among the Nyamwezi powerful forces known as ‘bulogi’ are organized with cults centered around certain spirits. This includes the manipulation of forces and the developments of cults or spirit possession in which members of the Baswezi society are possessed or mounted by the Swezi spirit.
According to oral traditions they settled in west central Tanzania where they presently live sometime during the 1600s. Called “people of the moon” by their neighbors in Tanzania the Nyamwezi lived in large settlements and at one time in a number of kingdoms but today live in small dispersed settlements under local chiefs. For similar pieces, see Bacquart, Jean-Baptist, Tribal Arts of Africa, 1998, fig. a, p. 223. See also Kerchache, Jacques, and Al. Art of Africa, 1988, figs. 807-808Recommended Reading: Abrahams, R. G. The Peoples of Greater Unyamwezi, Tanzania. International African Institute. 1967;
Iliffe, John . A Modern History of Tanganyika. Cambridge University Press. 1979 **111087** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006
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Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 51, 000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125, 000 in charity auctions. Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card. Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order. When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card. U.S. Shipping: We use a professional shipper who has worked with us for ten years. He and his staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of his labor and the special packing materials he uses is reflected in our handling price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request. Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletterGo to Africa Direct Store
Each figure is about 59-63" tall;Overall ConditionGood. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.  Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a norm...al part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use. We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings. Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.Damage/RepairGeneral wear, see pictures for details. Picture is an example, yours will be similar You are buying one male figure and one female figure. Picture is an example, yours will be similar.We can not ship this item internationally. Additional Information: These figures are used by water diviners according to Jean-Baptist Bacquart (1998: 223). Further research is to be conducted to determine the use and function of these figures also referred as staff (see Kerchache, Jacques, and Al., 1988, p. 468).The Nyamwezi are known for their carving that is at best roughly executed and relatively sparsely described in the literature of East African art. However there are a number of uses given to sculpted figures among the Nyamwezi including witchcraft, magic and social entertainment. Among the Nyamwezi powerful forces known as ‘bulogi’ are organized with cults centered around certain spirits. This includes the manipulation of forces and the developments of cults or spirit possession in which members of the Baswezi society are possessed or mounted by the Swezi spirit.
According to oral traditions they settled in west central Tanzania where they presently live sometime during the 1600s. Called “people of the moon” by their neighbors in Tanzania the Nyamwezi lived in large settlements and at one time in a number of kingdoms but today live in small dispersed settlements under local chiefs. For similar pieces, see Bacquart, Jean-Baptist, Tribal Arts of Africa, 1998, fig. a, p. 223. See also Kerchache, Jacques, and Al. Art of Africa, 1988, figs. 807-808Recommended Reading: Abrahams, R. G. The Peoples of Greater Unyamwezi, Tanzania. International African Institute. 1967;
Iliffe, John . A Modern History of Tanganyika. Cambridge University Press. 1979 **111087** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006
Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers!
Please visit our About Us page.
Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 51, 000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125, 000 in charity auctions. Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card. Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order. When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card. U.S. Shipping: We use a professional shipper who has worked with us for ten years. He and his staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of his labor and the special packing materials he uses is reflected in our handling price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request. Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletterGo to Africa Direct Store
