Standing female figure · Gabon, Punu · ID: 3042690
Vincent Wapler, Drouot, Paris, 29 April 1994, lot 45
Sotheby’s, Paris, 15 June 2004, lot 161
Philipp Konzett, Graz, Austria
Helmut Feier, Vienna, Austria
Description
wood, polychrome paint, asymmetrical body with handle-shaped arms and striking short legs, tribe-typical facial features, min. dam., missing part (base), slight traces of insect caused damage, paint rubbed off in small parts, base.
The Punu are known for the so-called “white masks”, representing the spirits of beautiful young maiden, who returned from the dead to take part in the village life. The face of present figure takes on the facial features of the “white masks”. The white paint not only refers to the deceased, but to methods for warding off witches as well. Sorcerers were believed to be most active and effective by night and the colour white suggests brightness and lucidity, both contrary to the night and to secrets.
The object Standing female figure with the object ID 3042690 was last part of the auction 87th Tribal Art Auction at November 11, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 362 achieved a sales price of EUR 2,800.
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Publications
AHDRC: 0048911