Featured African Rhythm Pounder

Hello,
I am new to this site. I purchased this from a woman whose husband bought it overseas, she thinks Africa or Asia.
I immediately wanted it and bought it.
It is 7 ft tall.
Can anyone give me more info about this and approximate worth?
Thank you.
My kids think it is haunted. I think it has a very peaceful vibe. But unexplained things have been happening in the house. Lol.

 

The headdress area looks like the work was unfinished....& something is wrong with the chin.
I'd surmise the carver died before completing the item...and his spirit was bound up into the carving.....which may cause you some mystifying occurrences...

 

I don't think the carving is haunted!! Lol (i think its the old rocking chair I picked up, lol) what was he used for? Any ideas where he came from? Or age?
I'm trying to upload a clip, but I can't figure out how yet.
‍♀️
Thanks for your reply!!

 

Rhythm pounders, "deble", were traditionally made and used by the Senufo people of West Africa (Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Burkina Faso). They were used during ceremonies of the Poro Society - intitiations and funerals. Held by the arms, they were beaten on the ground to mark the rhythm of a procession or dance.
Yours is much taller than a traditional figure made for use - typically 40-50 inches tall. The style of carving is also not typical. I suspect it was made for sale to tourists, though based on the rhythm pounder idea.

https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/4838

https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/84261

http://www.randafricanart.com/Senufo_rhythm_pounder.html
https://collections.mfa.org/objects/4805
https://africa.si.edu/collections/v...ate:flow=88cf5431-c1c9-420c-a113-28760ef7b085

 

How come the more info you get, the deeper the mystery? Somewhere in my research, I read about a female who saved her people and sacrificed her child to do so. The crown made me think of a special spirit.and the pensive expression. It doesnt show well in the pics I have posted, but this figure, has 4 "legs". My daughter calls it the "tree statue". I don't know if that has any significance. And then, I think about how it got here. It took some effort to drive him home a few miles, head sticking out back left window, base out the front right. To bring it overseas, why go to the trouble for a bauble?
I do see the difference between what i have seen on the links. Mine is definitely more crude.
Thank you so much for you time, and the links, but now I want to know more!!
Christine.

 

Can you post a side view? It is hard to tell from your photos, but it looks like he(?) is holding his hands beside his face. Is that right?

 

Yes, the hands are holding the face. I will take more pics tomorrow, not because I don't like going into the room he is in at night, lol, i have to be up early for work. He isn't creepy. Its def the rocking chair. Im going to post that too, lol

 

This is an old ebay offer, a carving with a "Made in Indonesia" label on the bottom.
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/indonesian-hand-carved-wooden-statue-517438810
The face is very similar to your piece, including the hands on face posture. Indonesian carvers have been producing imitations of many different tribal styles lately, without fully understanding the traditions they are copying. I suspect your "rhythm pounder" may be one such item.

 

Oooih!! That does look like it. I wish I had more time to look at it now. I have to go to work. Tha k you for your help!! Ill be back!!!

 

One more observation - the "crown" on your figure, though rather crude, may be based on traditional Balinese (Indonesian) headdresses. On Senufo pieces, you can see that any hairstyles/headresses run from front to back. On your piece, the crown is oriented across the head, like a Balinese headdress. (Also note the circular elements at the bottom of each side - similar to your figure's crown.):

http://woodsculpturevintage.com/vin...d-carving-sculpture-bust-figure-large-ornate/

 

So helpful @2manybooks...