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Hôtel des Ventes de Troyes

128 - Statue - Dogon - Mali - 26 cm Materials : Wood Base included…
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Estimate €500 - €800
Sale commission
Description
Statue - Dogon - Mali - 26 cm Materials : Wood Base included (gallery condition). Provenance: From the collection of James "Joopie" Permeke, grandson of the painter Constant Permeke. The items 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 ensemble bears witness to a provenance directly linked to one of Belgium's most important artistic lineages of the 20th century. Exhibition history: Antwerp (Berchem), Galerie Campo & Campo, Permeke - 5 generations, 1996 (exhibition label on reverse, no. 38). Dimensions: H. 26 cm This figure is characterised by a remarkable economy of means. The body is reduced to a few essential volumes: an ovoid head supported by a long cylindrical neck, a narrow torso framed by two arms drawn in towards the abdomen and strongly bent legs resting on a rectangular base. The overall impression is one of stability, contemplation and restrained tension. The extreme simplification of the forms, the importance given to the rhythm of the volumes and the compact posture evoke certain ancient sculptures from the Bandiagara cliff region, sometimes associated with the Tellem-Dogon tradition. In this work we find a number of features characteristic of ancient Dogon sculpture: elongation of the neck, reduction of anatomical details in favour of the overall structure, and a search for plastic balance based on simple geometric forms. Statuettes of this type were generally kept in family or community altars. They could be used in practices linked to ancestor worship, protection of the lineage, fertility or to preserve the balance between the world of the living and that of spiritual forces. and that of spiritual forces. Their exact function varied according to region, group and ritual context. This figure is particularly appealing for its archaic character. The sculptor has focused on the expression of a presence rather than the naturalistic description of the human body. The powerful volumes, solidly anchored posture and pared-back treatment of the surfaces give the piece great evocative power. The ancient patina, acquired through handling and ritual storage, further enhances the quality of this sculpture.
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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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