Standing female figure · Cameroon, Fang-Ngumba (?) · ID: 3034645
Phillips, 25. 06. 1998, Lot 320
Peter Sloane, London, Great Britain
Description
wood, dark brown patina, remains of pigments, large hands with the palms turned upwards, rectangular cavity in the belly, two nails inserted to the breast, a round cavity on top of the head, two further drillings at the broad shoulders, metal applications (eyes, teeth), two round cavities at the temples, “crypto fetish”, rep. (right breast), min. dam., fine cracks, slight traces of insect caused damage and abrasion;
cavities for the insertion of magical substances are found in Cameroon as well as in Gabon.
The Ngumba, a subgroup of the Fang living in southern Cameroon as well as in northern Gabon, apply metal to their figures, especially around the eyes.
Littérature comparée
Robbins, Warren M., Ingram Nooter, Nancy, African Art in American Collections, o.O. 1989, p. 327, ill. 847 Utotombo - L'Art d'Afrique noire dans les collections privées belges, Brüssel 1988, p. 193, ill. 138