A Yoruba Maternity Figure, from Maku († 1927),... Lot n° 39

Figure with child, by Maku (d. 1927), "arugba" Yoruba, Oyo, Nigeria Ohne Sockel / without base Wood, glass beads. H 84 cm. Provenance: - according to oral information of the owners, Galerie Maria Wyss, Basel. - Peter E. His (1922-2005), Basel. Based on the stylistic characteristics, the present work can be attributed to the work of the master carver Maku (d. 1927) from Erin. A comparable figure is in the Brooklyn Museum, New York (Inv.-Number 82.103a-b), and is described there as follows: "The Yoruba consider the head to be the seat of an individual's àse (power or life force) and their ìwà (personal character). The considerable detail given to the head of this arugba (meaning "one who carries the calabash") and the blue hair crest, probably decorated with the pigment known as laundry blue, suggest a cool, controlled vitality. This figure likely served as a receptacle for small gifts on a shrine altar, possibly dedicated to Shango, the god of thunder and lightning. Based on characteristic carving details and similarities of form, this figure was probably carved by Maku, the master carver of the town of Erin, or by his son Toibo." CHF 4 000 / 6 000 EUR 4 000 / 6 000