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Hôtel des Ventes de Troyes

111 - Bust - Attributed to the Baga - Guinea - Provenance: From th…
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Estimate €500 - €800
Sale commission
Description
Bust - Attributed to the Baga - Guinea - Provenance: From the collection of James "Joopie" Permeke, grandson of the painter Constant Permeke. The objects presented in this sale come from the collection of James "Joopie" Permeke, grandson of the major Belgian artist Constant Permeke. Kept within the family for several decades, this set bears witness to a provenance directly linked to one of Belgium's most important artistic lineages of the 20th century. Dimensions: H. 57 cm. - Materials : Wood An important female anthropomorphic sculpture in wood with a dark brown patina, representing a standing figure in a solemn, frontal attitude. The ovoid head features a face with strongly stylised features: almond-shaped, almost closed eyes, a straight nose extended by a pronounced bridge and a mouth with protruding lips. The cheeks are adorned with circular scarification marks, while a hairstyle carefully engraved with radiating geometric motifs extends over the entire skull and is prolonged by an elegant crown element. The long, ringed neck makes the transition to a particularly architectural torso. The highly stylised chest stands out above an openwork space formed between the folded arms and the body. The forearms frame the abdomen in a composition of great geometric rigour. The figure rests on a stepped pedestal, contributing to the overall balance of the sculpture and reinforcing its monumental character despite its relatively contained dimensions. This work demonstrates a remarkable mastery of the simplification of volumes and the organisation of masses. The contrast between the rounded forms of the head and the rigorous lines of the bust gives the piece a particularly strong sculptural presence. In the tradition of the Baga peoples living on the coast of Guinea, anthropomorphic representations were associated with belief systems, community cults and the celebration of ancestors and tutelary forces. They were used in various ceremonial contexts linked to group cohesion, the transmission of knowledge and the spiritual protection of the community. Female figures played an important role in this symbolic universe, evoking notions of fertility, continuity of lineage and abundance.
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About the sale ARTS OF AFRICA & OCEANIA: Three exceptional family collections
Auction location
Auction time 06/22/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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