Standing figure "tadep" · Cameroon, Mambila · ID: 3041441
Jean-Pierre Jernander, Brussels, Belgium
Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels, Belgium
Description
wood, encrusted blackish brown patina, red and white pigment, concave vaulted diamond-shaped face, painted with signs and emblems, slightly dam., cracks (back), insect caused missing parts (leg zone), abrasion of paint, base;
figures like this were commonly described as ancestor representations or guardian figures. Rather, it would appear to be a ritual object connected with a healing association called “suàgà”. The local name of such sculptures would be “tadep”. Usually these were male-female pairs. Together with other “suàgà” paraphernalia, they were stored in granaries.
The object Standing figure “tadep” with the object ID 3041441 was last part of the auction 84th Tribal Art Auction at November 5, 2016 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 346.
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Comparing literature
Fagaly, William, Ancestors of Congo Square, New Orleans 2011, p. 238 Gebauer, Paul, Art of Cameroon, New York 1979, M 23