Female Figure
Kulebele
Senufo people
Niene, Upper Bagoé River Valley,
Côte d'Ivoire
Sandogo society? or Poro Society?
Collected before World War II
Wood w/ Red Pigment
29.8 x 8.3 x 8.6 cm. / 11 ¾ x 3 ¼ x 3 3/8 inches
A female figure in the classic position sitting on a stool with arched back, fore-shortened legs and breasts extending to a flattened point with nipples. There is a crested headdress extending front to back, ending with a horizontal projection at the back of the neck. The long arms are bent nearly 90 degrees, flaring at the shoulder with paw-like hands, lacking articulation, backed by bracelets. There are armlets between the bent elbows and shoulders. The long, narrowing jaw thrusts forward with an oval mouth showing a grid pattern representing teeth. The figure is black with faint traces of red pigment on the sides of the breast, on the ears, in the scarification patterns and on the rim of the stool.
Looking at this figure it is easy to understand the influence and grasp the excitement this type of superb figure generated in Guillaume, Picasso, Matisse, and other European artists and writers earlier this century! Ancestor-cult objects like this one are thought to be connected with fertility rituals or divination purposes.
Fine condition, bearing warm, old patina and extremely fine cracquelure.
PROVENANCE: Sold by Herbert Rieser, London, to the late Judge A. Blum, Maryland, USA.
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