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an image of a wooden statue of a man with a helmet onstatue of a man with a bird on his head on a pedestala close up of a statue of a person with a hat onstatue of a woman wearing a headdress on a black backgroundstatue of a man with a bird on his head on a tablea close up of a statue of a person with a hat onstatue of a man with a hat on his head holding a sticka close up of a wooden sculpture on a black surface
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157 - Bamana (Bambara), Mali
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Estimate €600 - €1,200
Sale commission
Description
Bamana (Bambara), Mali Jo Nyeleni statue Standing female statue known as Jo Nyeleni First half of the 20th century Hardwood with a reddish-brown patina H70 cm In good overall condition, with normal signs of wear. Provenance: Private collection, acquired at auction and held in the collection for around fifteen years. A standing female statue on a circular plinth, her hands resting on her hips in a hieratic pose. The face, with geometric features, has a prominent nasal bridge. It is crowned by a beautiful crested hairstyle, extended by two broad side braids swept back and finely striated. The neck is long and cylindrical, the shoulders broad, and the chest marked by conical breasts. The arms bear herringbone scarifications, whilst triangular motifs adorn the upper back, shoulders and abdomen. The female genitalia are depicted. It has a beautiful patina of wear, deep and nuanced, bearing witness to long-term handling. The Jo Nyeleni are associated with the Jo, an initiation society. They embody the ideal of the accomplished young woman, a symbol of beauty, fertility and maturity, and were displayed during ceremonies and rites of passage.
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About the sale Sculptural furniture and functional art
Auction location
Auction time 10/25/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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