Standing female figure "minsereh" · Sierra Leone, Mende · ID: 3035296
Patrik Fröhlich, Zurich, Switzerland
Description
wood, partly shiny blackish brown patina, remains of pigments, carved with loincloth and necklace, pear-shaped body, originally with separate worked forearms, elaborate coiffure, rep. (breakage at the base), missing parts (forearms), cracks, slight traces of abrasion;
belonging to the “yassi” society, which mediates between spirits and humans and uses carved female figures, called “minsereh”, to assist in making prophesis. All “minsereh” figures are usually painted black. In addition, all over the Mende region carved figures could serve as house ornaments. The possession of carvings of persons or animals “to dress the house” added to the prestige of a prosperous men.
The object Standing female figure “minsereh” with the object ID 3035296 was last part of the auction 74th tribal art auction at September 7, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 105 achieved a sales price of EUR 8,000.
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