Maternity figure "gwan dusu" ·  Mali, Bamana · ID: 3032385

Description

wood, blotched brown patina, red paint, metal rings attached (nose and ears), eyes with metal inlay, stylized forms, flat limbs in contrast with accentuated voluminous breasts, fine grooved scarification marks, the child carved separately, slightly dam., minor missing parts, paint rubbed off, metal plate;
the figures called “gwan dusu” should reflect the image of the ideal woman, which includes the depiction of mother and child, encorporating fertility within the family and the community. “Gwan dusu” (meaning “heart of the gwan”) is a girls name and stands for the blacksmiths request to mobilize supernatural powers with the help of god for not only dominating the fire, but ensuring the continuity of the family through sacrificial rites.

The object Maternity figure “gwan dusu” with the object ID 3032385 was last part of the auction 68th tribal art auction at March 3, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 286.

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Comparing literature

Colleyn, Jean Paul (Hg.), Bamana, Zürich 2001, p. 131

Publications

Bambara, Dogon, Senoufo - Arts Anciens, Galerie Alain Bovis 2005, Paris, France, ill. 26