Incredible soap stone statue from Sierra Leon that I believe to be Nomoli.
Not much is known about these statues but they are found buried in the ground in Southeast Sierra Leon and are presumed to have been made by the original inhabitants of the country. Their function is obscure and the source of much speculation. They bear a resemblance to Ivory figures that the Portuguese sailors acquired from the Sapi people in the 15th and 16th century's but Portuguese sources make no mention of these stone statues and it is thought that they may be much older.
The subject of the sculpture is a woman encircled by 4 children.
7.2Kg
Not much is known about these statues but they are found buried in the ground in Southeast Sierra Leon and are presumed to have been made by the original inhabitants of the country. Their function is obscure and the source of much speculation. They bear a resemblance to Ivory figures that the Portuguese sailors acquired from the Sapi people in the 15th and 16th century's but Portuguese sources make no mention of these stone statues and it is thought that they may be much older.
The subject of the sculpture is a woman encircled by 4 children.
7.2Kg