MILLON
191
-
Three-headed fetish with padlocks
Wood with a thick brown pa…
See original version (French)
191
-
Three-headed fetish with padlocks
Wood with a thick brown pa…
See original version (French)
Estimate €500 - €700
Voluntary lot
Description
Three-headed fetish with padlocks
Wood with a thick brown patina, traces of ritual splashes on the tops of the heads, a large necklace of padlocks, fabric and various materials, signs of age and wear
Fon, with Ewe influence, Benin – Togo
69 x 20 x 20 cm
This richly decorated female figure is part of the ritual practices of the Fon and Ewe worlds, where fetishes were used as means of protection, intercession and mediation with invisible forces. The three heads may refer to a heightened state of vigilance or a symbolic ability to see and act in multiple directions. The coloquintes held in the hands likely contribute to this ritual function, in connection with magical preparations or charges.
The large number of padlocks attests to prolonged use in situ. Each padlock likely corresponded to a specific request, wish or protective action. This layering of materials, fabrics and metal elements gives the whole a dense and organic presence, the aesthetic of which at times evokes certain assemblages found in contemporary art.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Journey Across the Continents (sale without live performance)
Auction location
Auction time
09/10/2026 at 1:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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