RARE CONGO FERTILITY BAKONGO WOYO PHALLIC WOODEN PENIS FIGURE ON METAL STAND

Description

I have owned this piece over 20 years and no longer collect African carvings so it has to go, beautifully carved with great detail and have not seen another for sale anywhere.
The Woyo live in the area dominated for centuries by the powerful Kongo Kingdom. Despite this, they have managed to maintain their identity, as well as produce a small but distinctive body of art. Like their Kongo neighbors, there are some large magical figures produced, though these are either rare or misidentified. The most well-known of Woyo arts are the beautiful initiation masks, with their colorfully-painted faces diagonal lines extending downward from expressive eyes. Compared to other masks from the Congo they are rare, but the best of them are debatably the most beautiful of all African masks. The sublime combination of color and solemnity leaves a lasting impression on the viewer. In addition to the famous masks, the Woyo produce decorative pot lids, an art-form unique to the Woyo. Though poorly understood, they are exchanged between husband and wife, as a means of secret communication, a vow of faithfulness perhaps. There are utilitarian objects produced, but these are difficult to distinguish from those of their neighbors the Kongo and Yombe.
History: In the 15th century, Queen Nwe led her people, who were to become the Woyo, away from the Congo cataracts, and the confusing and stressful mix of BaKongo groups, into the area in which they currently live. This first "dynasty" was later conquered by the neighboring king of the KiKongo, only to be reborn under the king's sister as the second dynasty, which re-established the Woyo as a distinct people. The Woyo tried to expand their territory northward in the 17th century, only to be pushed back by the Solongo. In the 18th century, the slave trade, disease, and drought gradually diminished their power, leading to an inevitable dissolution of the "monarchy," in favor of a more egalitarian society.
Height: 11 inches...28cm.
Width: 2 1/2 inches...6.5cm.
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Sadly the Thai postal service now charges .00 a kilo by air, land sea is a lot cheaper but takes longer. Before this Covid virus Thai post had an economy air service that they no longer do so airmail is a lot more expensive but much quicker.
Due to the size, shape and being slightly fragile, some pieces will have to be specially wrapped, boxed and insured for loss only which shows in the shipping cost, I do not intend to take any chances with these pieces, better safe than sorry, it would be heart breaking to think it arrived broken and deserves looking after.
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Shipping from Thailand can take between 14 to 28 days depending on the postal service and area so please be patient also may take a little longer with this Covid virus slowing everything down.
Thai post will not ship to Brazil, Spain or The Russian Federation and many other eastern block countries so I can only use EMS which is about double the shipping rate quoted but twice as quick taking between 7-10 days. So please contact me first for a quote before you buy.
I do my best to bring you unique and sometimes very rare items. I can sell you an item, wrap it as carefully as I can and then ship it to you. I cannot control what Thai post charges for shipping or tell you the exact time it takes to arrive to you, and can only give you a rough idea from past dealings, I have no control what so ever over any postal service's or U.S. customs.
I use bubble wrap and other packing to cushion each item from possible mishandling during shipping. If for any reason, the item is broken, please email within 24 hours along with pictures of the broken item, original box inside and outside.
I try to take good photos with different angles, I also put all the information I know about the piece on the page including Height and Width,  I do not charge for the box and wrapping which is also expensive here as it has to be imported.