Standing female figure ·  Cameroon, Mambila · ID: 3034494

Description

wood, partly encrusted patina, polychrome paint, oversized head with expressive facial features, typical detail: the zigzag-contour of the legs, min. dam., cracks, slight traces of abrasion, wooden socle;
in Fulani language Mambila means “humans”, while they call themselves “nor”. They had no kingship and no central power, but a village chief, who was supported by the so-called “mimin” society. They believed in the Maker, whom they used to call “nama” or “chang”, but a cult only existed for family ancestors. Most of their figures are representations of the deceased.

The object Standing female figure with the object ID 3034494 was last part of the auction 72nd tribal art auction at March 9, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 397 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,000.

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Comparing literature

Gebauer, Paul, Art of Cameroon, New York 1979, p. 213