BAMBARA Mali, region of Segou h 78 cm Female... Lot 38

BAMBARA Mali, region of Segou h 78 cm Female figure. Hardwood covered with residues of a black glaze, signs of erosion. This is the representation of a female figure sitting on a two-legged stool. The head resembles a “cubist” style, characterised by straight, pointed lines which bestows a sense of noble pride upon it. The body, which lacks any definition of the muscles, has a long neck, large breasts and a slender chest, rounded shoulders, a prominent navel, short arms with no joints, and open hands facing outwards, with the fingers pressed together. The base of the long nose, which divides the flat face in two, joins together at the ridge of the brow. The ears are two semi-circles in relief. The hairstyle is formed of three semi-arcs positioned horizontally on the top of the head. The surface of the wood has been decorated with engraved geometric lines and a series of cuneiform incisions. PROVENANCE Private collection (2002):