Rare female figure · D. R. Congo, Kuyu · ID: 3038931
Jean-Paul Agogué, Paris, France
Description
wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, bulky body, face with tribe-typical characteristics, dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (esp. right side), fine cracks, traces of abrasion, base;
the western Kuyu compare their chief with a panther, and initiation ceremonies teach the secrets of the animal’s powers. Among the eastern Kuyu the serpent “ebongo” is the focus of initiation (“djo”), and his ancestors and offspring are represented in the carved wooden heads that are best-known form of Kuyu sculpture. Kuyu figures are far less common than heads.
The object Rare female figure with the object ID 3038931 was last part of the auction 80th Tribal Art Auction at June 27, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 435.
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
Volprecht, Klaus, Sammlung Clausmeyer, Afrika, Köln 1972, ill. 118 f.