A Songye Shield for comment

katana · 19th December 2009, 05:51 PM

Hi
recently acquired this Songye Shield ....carved from a single piece of wood. Some minor damage /chips. Fits in the hand nicely and seems quite functional. Whitish pigment (flash makes it appear very white) highlighting carved details. The face seems quite 'war-like' ...seems to have a helmet with nasal protection, the cubed shaped representation of the mouth with the 'X' seems symbolic.

All information / comments gratefully received, thank you

Kind Regards David

Luc LEFEBVRE · 19th December 2009, 08:58 PM

Sorry, it's a copy.

katana · 19th December 2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luc LEFEBVRE

Sorry, it's a copy.

Hi Luc,
please, could you explain why ? Thank you

Regards David

Luc LEFEBVRE · 20th December 2009, 05:11 PM

Look at the color of the backside, the way it is carved, the patina on the side of the shield and the design of the pattern.
Look at the carving of the head and compare with the good one.

Songye dance shields are very attractive with the mask on the center, but very very rare, and really expensive.
Here some other fake, you can buy them for 50€ on ebay or other sites.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 20th December 2009, 05:15 PM

Here scans from the book GUBA Vol2 from Jan Elsen & Ivan Baur, you can find good old Songye/Luba shields and make the difference.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 20th December 2009, 05:17 PM

And this is the Songye Shield of the Mestach Collection.
Look at the head, the "delicacy" of the carving and the details.

katana · 24th December 2009, 01:00 PM

Hi Luc,
thank you for adding to the thread, I appreciate it. I realised when I bought the shield that it wasn't that old, but thought it may have been perhaps a dance/ceremonial shield due to some wear to the handle. I bought this VERY cheaply, to display with some spears. I actually like it ...at least it is genuine African and only cost me a few 'beers'

.

All the best
David

Luc LEFEBVRE · 24th December 2009, 05:09 PM

So, no problem !
Just for deco.

19th December 2009, 05:51 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	A Songye Shield for comment Hi recently acquired this Songye Shield ....carved from a single piece of wood. Some minor damage /chips. Fits in the hand nicely and seems quite functional. Whitish pigment (flash makes it appear very white) highlighting carved details. The face seems quite 'war-like' ...seems to have a helmet with nasal protection, the cubed shaped representation of the mouth with the 'X' seems symbolic. All information / comments gratefully received, thank you Kind Regards David Attached Images

20th December 2009, 05:11 PM	#4
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	Look at the color of the backside, the way it is carved, the patina on the side of the shield and the design of the pattern. Look at the carving of the head and compare with the good one. Songye dance shields are very attractive with the mask on the center, but very very rare, and really expensive. Here some other fake, you can buy them for 50€ on ebay or other sites. Attached Images Last edited by Luc LEFEBVRE; 20th December 2009 at 05:28 PM.

20th December 2009, 05:15 PM	#5
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	Here scans from the book GUBA Vol2 from Jan Elsen & Ivan Baur, you can find good old Songye/Luba shields and make the difference. Attached Images

20th December 2009, 05:17 PM	#6
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	And this is the Songye Shield of the Mestach Collection. Look at the head, the "delicacy" of the carving and the details. Attached Images Last edited by Luc LEFEBVRE; 20th December 2009 at 05:31 PM.

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19th December 2009, 08:58 PM	#2
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	Sorry, it's a copy.

24th December 2009, 01:00 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Luc, thank you for adding to the thread, I appreciate it. I realised when I bought the shield that it wasn't that old, but thought it may have been perhaps a dance/ceremonial shield due to some wear to the handle. I bought this VERY cheaply, to display with some spears. I actually like it ...at least it is genuine African and only cost me a few 'beers' . All the best David

24th December 2009, 05:09 PM	#8
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	So, no problem ! Just for deco.