Standing female figure · Sierra Leone, Mende · ID: 3051891
Richard & Jan (1928-2017) Baum, Los Angeles, USA
Mark Eglinton, New York, USA
Description
wood, encrusted patina, handwritten collection no. “1264”, base
Female figures had a number of different functions in Mende culture; some were employed in divination rites to help cure both physical and mental disorders, while others were associated with initiation societies.
In general, such sculptures stood beside and protected the medicines in a society house, where they remained unseen by the public except when they were brought out on special occasions (Yale University Art Gallery).
The object Standing female figure with the object ID 3051891 was last part of the auction Auction 104 at April 12, 2025 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 263 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,000.
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Comparing literature
https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/84376 Gottschalk, Burkhard, Bundu Masken und Statuen aus privaten Sammlungen, Düsseldorf 2011, p. 156 ff.
Publications
AHDRC: 0112763