Western Africa, Republic of Benin, Fon peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden effigy figure depicting a highly stylized simian creature in a seated position with legs crossed in front of its slender body. The figure holds both arms against its head and jawline as its sinuous tail courses up its back. The bulbous head features an anthropomorphic visage of almond-shaped eyes, a slender nose, and full lips with a delineated philtrum, and the nearly spherical skull cap is topped with a heavily incised coiffure. Areas of applied orange-brown mud pigment are visible across the composition. Size: 3.3" W x 10.9" H (8.4 cm x 27.7 cm); 12.375" H (31.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Jersey City, New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Budrose collection, Massachusetts, USA; ex-Marc Assayag collection, Montreal, Canada

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#169917

Losses to areas of base, feet, and verso, with spalls and inactive insect damage, abrasions to pigment, and several stable fissures across the surfaces. Nice preservation to figural form. Old inventory number written in orange pigment along verso. Figure is removable from display stand.