Need help to identify these african statues:age, country of origin, tribe, etc.

I need your help to identify these african statues . They are made from quite heavy wood except for the last one. The first statue's height is 23 inches. Thanks in advance!

 

The first one is Chokwe, from Central Africa (Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, northwestern Zambia.) It represents Chihongo, the spirit of wealth, that brings prosperity. The distinctive marking on the forehead is a main identifying feature of Chokwe masks and figures.

The second figure is Senufo (Kulebele) from Western Africa (Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso.)
It represents a spirit figure of the Poro society.

The third is Ba-Luba, from the Warua region of the eastern Congo Basin.

The last one I am not familiar with. Although twin figures (Ibeji) are usually associated with the Yoruba of western Africa (Nigeria, Benin, parts of Ghana), this carving doen't look "quite right," especially in the treatment of the mouth area (which actually looks more like contemporary Indonesian figures carved for the tourist market.) It is also uncommon for them to be joined like this. I would question it, especially since you mention that it is carved from a lighter weight wood.

I would suspect all are from mid-late 20th century.

 

Thank you so much for all these infos! It is very enlightening!

 

Do you have any idea of the approximate value?

 

I wouldn't feel comfortable in doing that, based only on photos, and not knowing where they are (we have members from all over the world on this forum).

Valuations generally aren't given on this forum, and probably wouldn't be that accurate, anyway.

You might see what similar pieces have sold for on eBay recently, or check sold auction prices.

 

I didn't know that valuations were not permitted on this forum. I am a new member from Canada. I will check on ebay and on some auction houses websites. Thank you so much!

 

The last figure pair are ancestor figures, from the Batak of Sumatra, Indonesia, similar to these:

http://docentavatar.blogspot.com/2014/11/batak-ancestors-living-gods.html

 

You're most welcome! I might add, however, that usually size is important, and you might want to consider adding that in future questions, since people will ask.

 

Thank you so much! Now I have all of my answers!

 

Yes, I will put the sizes in my description. Thank you!

 

I agree with @Taupou that the first figure is Chokwe. But I believe it represents a chief, or the founding ancestor of the Chokwe, Chibinda Ilunga. One of the features of the chief/ancestor figures is the large headdress.

https://www.african-arts-gallery.com/african-art/african-Statues/Statue-
Chokwe/14942

Cihongo most often appears as a mask, rather than a statue, with a distinctive projection underneath the chin.

https://www.artic.edu/artworks/181740/male-face-mask-chihongo

 

I think that you are right! The little figure at his left is the Hamba! Do you agree with Taupou for the age? Thank you so much! Impressive duet (Taupou and you)!

 

to me, the age looks more like the 70's and 80's.....

 

Yep, as Taupou said, mid to late 20th cen.

 

I was being more specific as I don't see these being from the 50's or 60's...

 

I am not an expert but I have never seen this kind of patina on a 40 years old wood object! But as you are the experts, I will go with mid to late 20th century! Thank you!

 

Well, good for you !
Last I looked 1970....was 50 years ago..............blah blah...

I'm no expert.....but...I hung around one of Canada's top African art dealers for the better part of 10 years.......
& learned how they bury their carvings in the ground for months, before digging it up and scuffing it and selling it...
Have bought and sold African art even though my specialty is NWC 1st Nations..
Have been looking at wood ART since 1989...

AND.....you are well within your rights, to discount anything anyone says here...
but when several of us who.....ummmm know things....all say the same thing....we usually have a point !



This was made 4 years ago...................... can ya tell by looking....!

I CAN !!!

 

When I said that you were the experts, It was not sarcastic or disrespectful. I consider that you know better than I. But I have also the right to make a comment concerning an object that I have in front of me. So why are you getting mad?? And yes I can tell that the object is fairly new by looking at it!

 

Please don't take @komokwa too much to heart. He is knowledgeable, but a known provocateur.

I would add that, without provenance, much ethnographic art is difficult to date with any certainty.

 

Thank you very much. It is good to know! Yes, the provenance is very important but since I bought these from an estate sale, I was not able to get any info! Have a nice day!