- 199
Lagoons Peoples, Côte d'Ivoire
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
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Description
- Female Figure, Nkpasopi
- wood
- height: 26cm., 10¼in.
Provenance
Miguel Covarrubias (1904 - 1957), Mexico City
Exhibited
Princeton, Princeton University Art Museum, The Stanley J. Seeger Jr. collects
ion, 1961, no.163, illustrated in the catalogue
Condition
Good condition overall; wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Filled crack to the back of the head-dress on the proper left, filled hairline crack to the back of the neck, proper right, another filled hairline crack to the back, proper right, and a filled crack between the buttocks. A small filled crack between the breasts. The foreparts of both feet missing, as visible in the catalogue illustration. Not unusual for this type of object, where the grain of the wood runs vertically. Scarification pegs/magic charges all missing, as visible. A few other scattered chips and losses, all old and well patinated. Some wear to the back of the head and the buttocks, presumably as a result of the figure having once been kept on the ground. Fine nuanced brown patina.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes 's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes 's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The Lagoons region of southern Côte d'Ivoire is home to no fewer than twelve distinct ethnic groups, all living in relatively close proximity. There was considerable artistic exchange between these groups, with celebrated carvers having their work commissioned by clients from distant villages, and objects circulating widely throughout the region.
On the basis of its style, we can add the Seeger figure to the corpus of works by a carver identified as the 'Master of the Rounded Volumes' (Monica Blackmun Visonà, Constructing African Art Histories for the Lagoons of Côte d'Ivoire, Farnham, 2010, p. 84). Closely related works by this artist are in the Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia (inv. no. A127), and the Barbier-Mueller Museum, Geneva (inv. nos. BMG 1007-12 and BMG 1007-14). The Master of the Rounded Volumes appears to have worked in the central Kyaman and southern Akye area of the Lagoons at the beginning of the 20th century. Visonà notes that 'his harmonious figures' are distinctive for their 'smooth finish and precise divisions between segments of the body' (ibid.).
The Seeger figure displays all of the physical traits admired by the Lagoons peoples. The long and sharply defined nose is a shape that was greatly admired in the region, and the full breasts, wide hips, and thick calves all reflect ideals of mature feminine beauty. The elaborately arranged hair is a style recorded in the early 20th century by visitors to the Lagoons, whilst the tiny holes visible to the forehead, cheeks, and immediately below the navel would originally have held small wooden pegs which represented keloid scarifications, traditional symbols of feminine beauty.
On the basis of its style, we can add the Seeger figure to the corpus of works by a carver identified as the 'Master of the Rounded Volumes' (Monica Blackmun Visonà, Constructing African Art Histories for the Lagoons of Côte d'Ivoire, Farnham, 2010, p. 84). Closely related works by this artist are in the Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia (inv. no. A127), and the Barbier-Mueller Museum, Geneva (inv. nos. BMG 1007-12 and BMG 1007-14). The Master of the Rounded Volumes appears to have worked in the central Kyaman and southern Akye area of the Lagoons at the beginning of the 20th century. Visonà notes that 'his harmonious figures' are distinctive for their 'smooth finish and precise divisions between segments of the body' (ibid.).
The Seeger figure displays all of the physical traits admired by the Lagoons peoples. The long and sharply defined nose is a shape that was greatly admired in the region, and the full breasts, wide hips, and thick calves all reflect ideals of mature feminine beauty. The elaborately arranged hair is a style recorded in the early 20th century by visitors to the Lagoons, whilst the tiny holes visible to the forehead, cheeks, and immediately below the navel would originally have held small wooden pegs which represented keloid scarifications, traditional symbols of feminine beauty.