Africa, Cameroon, Bamileke Culture, ca. 4th quarter 19th/1st quarter 20th century. A tall carved wood sculpture depicting a wife of a Bamileke chief, standing with boldly delineated facial features, a stylized coiffure, and a nude perhaps pregnant body. Each Bangwa chiefdom of the grasslands of Cameroon is led by a sacred person of the fon who is responsible for rites linked to well-being and fertility of both the land and its people. Bangwa chiefs oftentimes commissioned representations of themselves and sometimes their wives. This example presents expressive qualities of the woman's character and physiognomy, fully in the round, making the piece easy to appreciate not only from the front but from every angle. To the Bangwa there exists a vital connection between an individual and his or her sculptural counterpart; this was reinforced through a pairing of the figures with relics such as crania and personal possessions in royal shrines. Custom stand. Size: 7.5" W x 30" H (19 cm x 76.2 cm); 32.5" H (82.6 cm) on stand

Provenance: Ex-private San Francisco, CA Collection

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#120663

Stable age cracks and insect losses as shown.