A Ngwindem Bangwa Figure
Cameroon, wood, 78 cm high. Held in high esteem amongst the Bangwa are the women. They are responsible for the continued growth, expansion and ultimate power of the kingdom through childbirth. Even more highly regarded are women that give birth to twins - twin mothers are elevated to the position of earth priestesses upon the birth of their children. Priestesses can be called upon to perform specific rituals and dances to ensure the fertility of the land. Believed to be a sub-type of Lefem or ancestor figures, Njuindem (meaning 'woman of god';
also called ngwindem or anyi) maternity figures are carved to represent mothers of twins and royal wives of the fwa. (Imodara)
Provenance:
Old private German collection;
Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris, 31.10.2017, Lot 45.
Cf.
: For the same iconography (and possibly same workshop), see Sotheby's 29-6-87, lot 399 (AHDRC-0135248);
and Native 25-1-2014, lot 22.
Specialist: Joris Visser
Joris Visser
+32-2-514 00 34
Joris.Visser@dorotheum.com
13.10.2022 - 16:01
- Estimate:
-
EUR 10,000.- to EUR 12,000.-
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 8,000.-
A Ngwindem Bangwa Figure
Cameroon, wood, 78 cm high. Held in high esteem amongst the Bangwa are the women. They are responsible for the continued growth, expansion and ultimate power of the kingdom through childbirth. Even more highly regarded are women that give birth to twins - twin mothers are elevated to the position of earth priestesses upon the birth of their children. Priestesses can be called upon to perform specific rituals and dances to ensure the fertility of the land. Believed to be a sub-type of Lefem or ancestor figures, Njuindem (meaning 'woman of god';
also called ngwindem or anyi) maternity figures are carved to represent mothers of twins and royal wives of the fwa. (Imodara)
Provenance:
Old private German collection;
Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris, 31.10.2017, Lot 45.
Cf.
: For the same iconography (and possibly same workshop), see Sotheby's 29-6-87, lot 399 (AHDRC-0135248);
and Native 25-1-2014, lot 22.
Specialist: Joris Visser
Joris Visser
+32-2-514 00 34
Joris.Visser@dorotheum.com
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Online auction |
| Date: | 13.10.2022 - 16:01 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 06.10. - 13.10. 2022 |