Initiation statue made of wood that has become light with a - Lot 81

Lot 81
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Estimation :
3000 - 4000 EUR
Initiation statue made of wood that has become light with a - Lot 81
Initiation statue made of wood that has become light with a dark patina depicting a male figure with a naturalistic treatment, standing with bent legs, one arm folded, the hand placed on the right cheek. The abdomen is full, the muscular reliefs and the shoulder blades underlined, the torso and the back decorated with vertical scarification lines. The concave face with eyes highlighted with brass upholstery nails has an expression that seems surprised. The headdress is in the form of a helmet enhanced with upholsterer's nails, ending in parallel ribs on the nape of the neck. He is adorned with brass bracelets and anklets. Missing top, fine cracks, wear. Listed as coming from the Mbini region, formerly Rio Muni, these large statuettes (collected between the 1920s and 1940s) are thought to be linked to initiation rites and intended to adorn shrines. They generally functioned in pairs, male and female, illustrating the religious belief in an original incestuous couple (Nzame and his sister Oyeme-mam). Height: 87 cm. - FANG - EQUATORIAL GUINEA Ref. Fang, Cinq Continents, p. 44-45. According to the present owner, former collection of a Belgian doctor, responsible for the eradication of trypanosomiasis by the Belgian and Congolese governments. Acquired from descendants.
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