Zemanek-Münster

Female shrine figure ·  Burkina Faso, Nako region, Lobi / Pwa/ Puguli (Pougouli)/ Jaa · ID: 3047351

not available anymore
Provenance
Enrico Prometti, Bergamo, Italy
Size
H: 45 cm
H: 17.7 inch

Description

wood, rest. (left arm and part of the right leg), base

This figure can be assigned to the so-called “Kelkoa style”. Characteristic for this style are especially the prominent eyes, which are surrounded by concentric rings. This characteristic gave the sculptures the somewhat flappy name “Lobi with glasses”. According to information collected on site, this special form of the eyes is said to reproduce the facial expression of a possessed person (Fischer / Homberger 2014, p. 189).

A stylistically very similar figure illustrated in Fischer / Homberger, p. 192, ill. 263. Both figures show great similarities in body structure (massive angular shoulder area, broad, short neck) and, in addition to the striking eye shape, show an unusually disc-shaped, flattened mouth and noticeably deep-set ears.


The object Female shrine figure with the object ID 3047351 was last part of the auction 96th Auction at April 24, 2021 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 166.

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.


Comparing literature

Fischer, Eberhard & Lorenz Homberger, Afrikanische Meister, Kunst der Elfenbeinküste, Zürich 2014, p. 192, ill. 263 Meyer, Piet, Kunst und Religion der Lobi, Zürich 1981, ill. 42 f.


Publications

Carini, Vittorio, "A Hidden Heritage, Sculture africane in collezioni private italiane", Milano 2004, ill. 50


Exhibition

Milan, Italy: "A Hidden Heritage, Sculture africane in collezioni private italiane", Galleria Dalton Somaré, 2004


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