Standing female figure "jo nyeleni"
Mali, Bamana
sold
EUR 1,000
Provenance
Emil Storrer, Zurich, Switzerland (1967)Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland
P. Berger, Binningen, Switzerland
Eduard Hess, Oberwil, Switzerland
Size
H: 46 cm
H: 18.1 inch
Description
light brown wood, greyish brown patina, a stylized body with accentuated breasts, scarification marks on body and face, metal eyes and teeth, dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, base;
such figures represent the “beautiful young women of Jo”. The new initiates travelled around for several months, visiting the villages nearby to point out their new state of adulthood, and demonstrate their wish to marry. “Nyeleni” figures illustrate the characteristic features of young Bamana women of marriageable age.