Figure of mother and child "lefem" · Prairie Camerounaise, Bamiléké · ID: 3037672
Christie’s Amsterdam, Van Lier Collection, 15 April 1997, lot 63
Description
wood, painted with yellow and red ochre, kaolin and black paint, carrying a child on the back with its head curiously twisted, square opening in the back (the upper part of the body seems to be completely hollowed out), remains of an old collection label “Van Lier” on the inside of the left foot, slightly dam., missing parts (right ear, hairdo, nose, mouth), permanent crack (running from the neck down the whole upper part of the body), possibly rep. (nose), on plate;
early research generally classified such large figures as memorial figures called “lefem”. They mostly depict persons of higher ranks, mostly known by name which were displayed at special ceremonies in front of the palace. Mother-and-child figures normally depict the mothers or the wifes of the respectively ruling king. The newer research has proved a connection with twin rites. Newborn twins were presented in front of a mother-and-child figure and received sacrifices. Corresponding to the significance of the children even their mothers gained a higher social rank. As a rule twins had the privilege to serve the king.
Littérature comparée
Homberger, Lorenz (Hg.), Kamerun, Kunst der Könige, Zürich 2008, p. 166-174