Standing female figure "jo nyeleni" ·  Mali, Bamana · ID: 3039564

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, metal rings (ear and nose ornament), typical design slightly dam., possibly rep. (vertical breakage in whole length), abrasion of paint;
“jo nyeleni” figures belong to the “jo” association. Most “jo” figural sculpture is used by the “numu jo” troop, the blacksmiths initiates. The “nyeleni” figures are either carried by the performers or placed behind them on the ground as a kind of backdrop. “Nyeleni” are said to increase visual interest, punctuating the performance and attracting the audience’s attention. They are “things to look at”. In performance they are adorned with loincloths, jewelry, head ties, or other items borrowed from young women in the village.

The object Standing female figure “jo nyeleni” with the object ID 3039564 was part of the auction 81st Tribal Art Auction on October 31, 2015. The object with the lot number 180 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,800 with an asking price of EUR 2,500.

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