Female figure with magical appendages · Sierra Leone, Mende · ID: 3046509
Walter Stanley Schwab, Murten, Switzerland (“WS 162”) (1977)
Description
wood, oily patina, metal, glass beads, nut, fibres, rest., base
Sculptures of standing women are used in the context of numerous initiation societies governing the life of the Mende, usually the Sande, but also the Njayei, Humoi and Yassi.
They have a protective role and therapeutic function, and are usually intended for curing diseases resulting from the transgression of interdictions.
The object Female figure with magical appendages with the object ID 3046509 was last part of the auction 94th Tribal Art Auction at March 7, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 176 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,000.
You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.
Expertise
Paolo Morigi, 15 April 1977, Magliaso-Lugano
Publications
Morigi, Paolo, "Le Sculture II", Galleria Arte Primitivo, Lugano 1975, cat. no. 9
AHDRC: 0112706