East African Colonial Kamba Figure
An extraordinary East African Colonial Kamba Kenya statue, carved of hard wood, depicting a tall figure in a trench coat and upturned hat.
Carved colonial figures are more common in West than East Africa. Unlike many that show European colonists, here we have what appears to be an African dressed in Western garb. The attention to detail, including the face, shoes, necktie, collared trench coat, and hands in pocket is exceptional. Note the military insignia on both sleeves, and a symbol on the flap on his hat and lapel. Perhaps there is information available on the derivation and meaning of these marks.
We are left to wonder at the artist’s intentions. If made for sale to Westerners, it is interesting that it is a native wearing this formal European attire.
An exceptional example in a highly collectible category.
Provenance: Ex Private UK Collection;
Ex Sam Handbury-Madin, London.
H 10.2 in x W 2.1 in // 26 cm x 5.5 cm
An extraordinary East African Colonial Kamba Kenya statue, carved of hard wood, depicting a tall figure in a trench coat and upturned hat.
Carved colonial figures are more common in West than East Africa. Unlike many that show European colonists, here we have what appears to be an African dressed in Western garb. The attention to detail, including the face, shoes, necktie, collared trench coat, and hands in pocket is exceptional. Note the military insignia on both sleeves, and a symbol on the flap on his hat and lapel. Perhaps there is information available on the derivation and meaning of these marks.
We are left to wonder at the artist’s intentions. If made for sale to Westerners, it is interesting that it is a native wearing this formal European attire.
An exceptional example in a highly collectible category.
Provenance: Ex Private UK Collection;
Ex Sam Handbury-Madin, London.
H 10.2 in x W 2.1 in // 26 cm x 5.5 cm
An extraordinary East African Colonial Kamba Kenya statue, carved of hard wood, depicting a tall figure in a trench coat and upturned hat.
Carved colonial figures are more common in West than East Africa. Unlike many that show European colonists, here we have what appears to be an African dressed in Western garb. The attention to detail, including the face, shoes, necktie, collared trench coat, and hands in pocket is exceptional. Note the military insignia on both sleeves, and a symbol on the flap on his hat and lapel. Perhaps there is information available on the derivation and meaning of these marks.
We are left to wonder at the artist’s intentions. If made for sale to Westerners, it is interesting that it is a native wearing this formal European attire.
An exceptional example in a highly collectible category.
Provenance: Ex Private UK Collection;
Ex Sam Handbury-Madin, London.
H 10.2 in x W 2.1 in // 26 cm x 5.5 cm