Half figure "nomoli" · Sierra Leone/Guinea/Liberia, Sapi · ID: 3038560
Bruce Frank, New York, USA
Description
soapstone, greyish brown, slightly dam., minor missing parts, wooden base;
the term “Sapi” comprises the Sherbro, Bulom, Temne and Kissi peoples in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, known in art history by their works in soapstone. Sculptures generally referred to by the Mende term “nomoli” are for the most part found in south-eastern Sierra Leone. There is another group of carvings, found further inland, and nowadays referred to by the Kissi term “pomdo”. The Kissi believe that they are manifestations of their deceased ancestors and place them in ancestor shrines. The Mende for their part look upon them as “rice gods”, and make offerings to them to increase their harvests.
The object Half figure “nomoli” with the object ID 3038560 was last part of the auction 80th Tribal Art Auction at June 27, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 217.
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
Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture, Munich 2009, p. 532 f.