African Bronze Sculpture Man Smoking Pipe West African Green Patina Visible

THIS IS A WEST AFRICAN BRONZE SCULPTURE OF A MAN SITTING AND SMOKING WHAT APPEARS TO BE A GOURD PIPE TIPICAL OF WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICAN AFRICAB COUNTRIES. SOLID BRONZE IT WEIGHS 898G AND STANDS 15CM HIGH. IT HAS SOME GREEN PATINA VISIBLE INDICATING ITS VINTAGE AGE.
 
NOTE I HAVE 3 BRONZE FIGURINE STATUES ON AUCTION THIS WEEK. THE ONE SCULPTURE DISPLAYS AN AFRICAN MAN AND LADY PLAYING A GAME OF OWARE. THE OTHER SCULPTURE HAS TWO AFRICAN MEN DRINKING BEER FROM LARGE BEER POTS WITH LONG STRAWS. AND THIS SCULPTURE HAS AN AFRICAN MAN SITTING AND SMOKING FROM A GOURD PIPE.
 
MARKINGS: NO MARKINGS VISIBLE ON THIS STATUE BUT A SIMILAR BRONZE STATUE BOUGHT WITH THIS LOT AND ALSO ON AUCTION THIS WEEK IS SIGNED G NGOMA.
 
SIZE: 5CM WIDE15CM HIGH 15CM DEEP
WEIGHT 898G

CONDITION: SCREW IMBEDDED IN FOOT PROPABLY FIXED ON OTHER PLATFORM BEFORE OR TO BALANCE STATUE IN SITTING POSITION. SOME GREEN OXIDISED PATINA VISIBLE INDICATING VINTAGE AGE. STRUCTURALLY IN GOOD CONDITION.
 
BRONZE:
Bronze is a copper and tin alloy that is shaped using a traditional method of bronze casting. These two metals can be mixed together in varying proportions to create different types of bronze alloys. The copper content can range from 60% to 90%, while tin makes up the remaining percentage. Statuary bronze is normally around 85%-90% copper. This combination, along with the patination (surface colouring) process, gives bronze its distinct and desirable reddish-golden-brown colour. 
The best known bronzes of Africa occur in West Africa in particular from Ife and Benin in southern Nigeria. The art of casting bronze, however, is known by other West African peoples, from Liberia to the Cameroons. In this context the term bronze is used to cover casting made with copper as a base but combined with varying amounts of other metals.
SOUND TEST: This is generally the easiest way to identify a real bronze. To test, gently tap the sculpture with your finger or a solid object. Real bronze produces a clear, resonant sound, often described as a ping. Fake bronze or other materials may produce a dull thud or plastic sound.
WEIGHT TEST: Authentic bronze sculptures are generally heavy due to the density of the metal. If a sculpture feels unnaturally light, it may be a sign that its not made of genuine bronze.
PATINA TEST: Bronze develops a unique patina over time as it reacts with the environment. This patina can vary in colour, from green to brown to black, depending on factors like exposure to air and moisture. Genuine bronze sculptures often exhibit this natural patina, while fake bronze pieces may lack it or show signs of artificial patination.
 
PLEASE ALSO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS LISTED. I HAVE SOME INTERESTING ITEMS ON AUCTION THIS WEEK. THE URL UNDERNEATH AND PASTE INTO GOOGLE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO ALL MY LISTINGS THIS WEEK. NOTE ALL MY AUCTIONS END AT 22H30 SO IT IS ADVISABLE TO PUT IN AN AUTOMATIC BID (HIGHEST PRICE YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY) EARLY.
https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/3685641/ErnRex1545