Bamileke, Cameroon Grasslands: A ‘medicine figure’, called ‘Mu’po’, from the west of the Cameroon grasslands.
Bamileke, Cameroon Grasslands: A ‘medicine figure’, called ‘Mu’po’, from the west of the Cameroon grasslands.
A so-called ‘Mu’po’ figure from the area around the town of Batie, in the west of the grasslands of northwest Cameroon. The majority of the figures of this type are assigned to the Bamileke, but very similar sculptures are also known amongst the Bangwa and the Bafo. ‘Mu’po’ figures assist healers and sooth-sayers in healing illnesses, as well as for medicinal and other forecasts. They are recognisable by the formal over-emphasis on their mostly ball-shaped round abdomens. The present, standing ‘Mu’po’ is stylistically most likely to be assigned to the Bamileke: it is carved out of dark wood and covered with a black layer of colour. On its head it wears an offset cap (or a stylised coiffure). Its eyes are small and round. The almost triangular, open mouth shows a row of white-coloured teeth. Both hands touch the chin, and the round ball-belly of the ‘Mu’po’ is bordered above, below and at the sides with black leather bands. The figure displays a partly encrusted shiny patina with heavy colour scuffing and a small break to the left foot on the back. Otherwise no damage. H: 23 cm.First half to mid-20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Belgian Collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
02.11.2015 - 14:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 1,500.-
Bamileke, Cameroon Grasslands: A ‘medicine figure’, called ‘Mu’po’, from the west of the Cameroon grasslands.
A so-called ‘Mu’po’ figure from the area around the town of Batie, in the west of the grasslands of northwest Cameroon. The majority of the figures of this type are assigned to the Bamileke, but very similar sculptures are also known amongst the Bangwa and the Bafo. ‘Mu’po’ figures assist healers and sooth-sayers in healing illnesses, as well as for medicinal and other forecasts. They are recognisable by the formal over-emphasis on their mostly ball-shaped round abdomens. The present, standing ‘Mu’po’ is stylistically most likely to be assigned to the Bamileke: it is carved out of dark wood and covered with a black layer of colour. On its head it wears an offset cap (or a stylised coiffure). Its eyes are small and round. The almost triangular, open mouth shows a row of white-coloured teeth. Both hands touch the chin, and the round ball-belly of the ‘Mu’po’ is bordered above, below and at the sides with black leather bands. The figure displays a partly encrusted shiny patina with heavy colour scuffing and a small break to the left foot on the back. Otherwise no damage. H: 23 cm.First half to mid-20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Belgian Collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 02.11.2015 - 14:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 28.10. - 02.11.2015 |