Estimate
€ 4.000 - 6.000
Sold
€ 3.008
The price includes buyer's premium
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Information
Magic figure.
Painted wood covered in magical substances. Shell necklace, bird feathers, pieces of glass on the eyes.
This depicts a magic figure used by a sorcier (nganga) who conducted magic, religious and divination rituals. To make the sculpture active, he would place magic substances inside the receptacles deliberately placed on the statuette’s body.The sculpture, requested by its owner, was accompanied by ritual formulas which were articulated by the sorcerer.The figure is positioned facing forwards with its body enshrouded in cloth. It is standing on a circular base. Its eyes are protected with pieces of white ceramic. The head is covered with the characteristic headdress common among the people who lived in the region. The open, toothless mouth is depicted passing a verdict, and its ears are sculptured in the shape of the number 9, following tradition.
Publications:
KERNEVEZ ALAIN “AFRICA, Begegnungen- Rencontre - Encounters” Paris, 2000, pag. 25;
Provenance
Literature
KERNEVEZ ALAIN, AFRICA, Begegnungen- Rencontre - Encounters, Paris, 2000, pag. 25;