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an old wooden statue of a man holding a snake on a black backgrounda wooden statue of a monkey on a black backgroundwooden statue of a man holding a baseball bat in front of a black backgrounda wooden statue of a person sitting on a black backgrounda wooden statue of a man with a hat on his headan image of a wooden statue of a man holding a babystatue of a woman holding a bowl and a snake on a black backgrounda wooden statue of a man with a hat on his head
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Estimate €800 - €1,200
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Description
YOMBÉ Yombé Phemba Mother and Child. 20th century. Height: 59.5 cm. An IR spectroscopy dating certificate (G. Matthaes patent) from the Museo d’Arte e Scienza, Milan, no. 6AF-3636, indicates the date 1940 ± 8 years. A statuette carved from heavy, light-brown wood. The face, with its gaze lost in the distant horizon (a sense of distance emphasised by the hollowed-out eyes) and the slightly parted mouth revealing two finely carved teeth (pointed teeth were considered a beauty ideal among the Yombé – a characteristic also found among other populations of Equatorial Africa, such as the Fang of northern Gabon and the Pygmies, etc.), exudes a strong and determined air. The features are delicate, the nose straight, its wings finely carved. The breasts, visible symbols of motherhood, are clearly defined. The back is decorated with diamond-shaped reliefs, stylising the female genitalia. The neck is adorned with a necklace. The arms, forearms and lower legs are adorned with bracelets (nlunga). The figure, seated with her legs crossed in a typical Yombe posture (funda nkata) symbolising authority, wears the headdress of a traditional chief (mpu). Provenance: Pierre Redouin Collection. Description: This female figure represents an idealised original female ancestor (the Yombe group follows a matrilineal lineage). The small figure (the child) symbolises the clan (the original clans, founded by women, are known as Phemba Mvila), symbolically carried and presented to the world by the mythical ancestor who provides her with maternal protection.
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About the sale The Breath of the Spirits: The Collection of Pierre Redouin and Others
Auction location
Auction time 09/24/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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