Lot: 176

94th Tribal Art Auction

Female figure with magical appendages

Sierra Leone, Mende

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
Paolo Morigi, Magliaso-Lugano, Switzerland
Walter Stanley Schwab, Murten, Switzerland ("WS 162") (1977)
H: 17.1 inch sold

wood, oily patina, metal, glass beads, nut, fibres, rest., base

Sculptures of standing women are used in the context of numerous initiation societies governing the life of the Mende, usually the Sande, but also the Njayei, Humoi and Yassi.

They have a protective role and therapeutic function, and are usually intended for curing diseases resulting from the transgression of interdictions.


Paolo Morigi, 15 April 1977, Magliaso-Lugano
Morigi, Paolo, "Le Sculture II", Galleria Arte Primitivo, Lugano 1975, cat. no. 9