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173
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Pair of fetish statues Wood, cowrie shells, fabric and vario…
See original version (French)
173
-
Pair of fetish statues Wood, cowrie shells, fabric and vario…
See original version (French)
Estimate €800 - €1,200
Voluntary lot
Description
Pair of fetish statues
Wood, cowrie shells, fabric and various materials, old thick brown patina, remains of white natural pigment splashes
Fon, Benin
43 x 19 cm; 43 x 19 cm
This pair of seated figures is part of the ritual practices of the Fon people of Benin, where statues with a load on them were associated with the protection of the home, prosperity and fertility. The female figure, with her hands resting on her breasts in a nurturing gesture, evokes abundance and the transmission of life. The male figure, adorned with cowrie shell necklaces, refers to wealth and good fortune - cowrie shells having long been used as a medium of exchange and divination in West Africa.
The ensemble is distinguished by the geometric sobriety of the faces, the balance of the seated postures and the silent intensity that emanates from these figures. The accumulated materials and ritual projections reinforce their protective and magical presence.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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