Ceremonial adze · Mali, Dogon · ID: 3035768
Heinz Kolerski, Fellbach, Germany
Description
wood, blackish brown patina, metal, the back of the handle carved with two female figures, one on top of the other, crowned by an anthropomorphic head, the blade describing a wide bow, dam., missing parts (head), cracks, paint rubbed off, on base;
according to J. Laude elaborate ceremonial adzes belonged to the blacksmiths and were used as staffs or emblems. According to K. Ezra they might be associated with the worship of “binu” ancestral spirits and belonged to “binu” priests.
The object Ceremonial adze with the object ID 3035768 was last part of the auction 75th tribal art auction at November 30, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 62 achieved a sales price of EUR 220.
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Comparing literature
Ezra, Kate, Art of the Dogon, New York 1988, p. 95 Laude, Jean, African Art of the Dogon, New York 1973, ill. 45