This is a RARE, UNIQUE, Hard-To-Find, VINTAGE, EXCELLENT Condition, Hand Crafted "Hand Carved Wood Carving African Folk Art Wooden Guardian Healing Figure Red Beads For Strength Figurine Statue" handmade in Zambia in the late-1960s. My neighbor's brother was a doctor who spent 1969 providing medical care in Kabompo, Zambia, Africa; this WONDERFUL Guardian Statue was given to him by the local healer shaman witch doctor to protect him from harmful spirits. Upon his return, he mounted it to a piece of plexi-glass, attached a description to the bottom and displayed it inside a glass cabinet with other African objects from his travels. Recently deceased, I am helping his family sell off his EXTENSIVE collections. Carved by a traditional Zambian Healer, this Magical, Medicinal Guardian Statue is in EXCELLENT Condition with NO marks, stains, odors, chips, cracks, drying, fading or other damage; it comes from a smoke-free, pet-free home. Hand Carved from a single piece of African Hard Wood, this Guardian Statue has a height of approximately 13 3/4 inches with the Plexiglass stand measuring approximately approximately 4 inches square; it is NOT Marked or Signed.
With a graceful shape, sheen-like finish and nicely detailed features, it was ENTIRELY hand carved from a single piece of Wood by a SUPERBLY talented Zambian Healer who created a primitively HANDSOME Figure. The workmanship has WONDERFUL texture and flowing lines, making this Statue truly a UNIQUE work of African Folk Art that is both ELEGANT and PRIMITIVE at the same time. Carefully carved from solid African Hardwood, this Guardian Statue features an interesting and original, painstakingly carved shape embedded with Red Beads for added strength. With deep cut eyes, a flat nose and open mouth, there is twine tied around the neck.
With a red bead on either side of the head, one on each arm and 3 over the heart section of the chest, there are open holes on the top of the head, arms and torso that could be filled in case of illness (to push out the evil spirt causing the sickness). With feet designed to be pushed into the ground outside of a home, one foot has been screwed to the plexiglass base. Highly collectible, it is a thick, well-weighted piece that is a FUN and EXOTIC addition to any room and is sure to be complimented on by everyone who sees it. This Tribal Guardian Sculpture was entirely hand carved and is a RARE, MUSEUM QUALITY PIECE OF ART with nice, simple details and a graceful form. This is a Ritual Object made by an African Healer to help protect this Doctor who was bringing Western medicine to Zambia; it was NOT made to sell, making this a RARE opportunity to purchase. Statues like this were carved by traditional healers in the African country of Zambia for use by their own people. At night, Zambians would set them into the ground outside the doors of their homes as the believed that the statues would safeguard the inhabitants. Carved with a design meant to give it power, red beads were often added for extra strength.
Shipping Weight - 2 pounds