Standing male figure · Nigeria, Mumuye · ID: 3032522
Description
wood, blackish-brown encrusted patina, the body consisting of clear defined and symmetrical arranged forms: a horseshoe-shaped leg zone supporting an extremely elongated columnar body with enveloping arms and shovel-like hands, the striking small head with crested coiffure and large pierced ears, slightly dam., cracks, paint rubbed off, small traces of insect caused damage, rep. (parts of the crest and right ear);
Mumuye figures represent various ancestors and cultural heroes who are thought to be able to control the forces of nature and the affairs of man. They were employed in a variety of contexts. They are associated with dispensation of justice, truth telling, healing and rain-making. Accordingly they were kept in the rainmakers house or they were displayed in front of the blacksmiths home.
The object Standing male figure with the object ID 3032522 was last part of the auction 68th tribal art auction at March 3, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 379 achieved a sales price of EUR 25,000.
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Comparing literature
Evers, Christophe, Art of the Upper Benue River, Brüssel 2003, p. 22 f.
Publications
Die expressive Geste. Deutsche Expressionisten und Afrikanische Kunst, Meersburg am Bodensee, 2007, ill. 12
Exhibition
Die expressive Geste. Deutsche Expressionisten und Afrikanische Kunst, Exhibition Städtische Galerie Neues Schloss, Meersburg am Bodensee, 7. Juni bis 2. September 2007