West Africa, Gabon, Puno / Lumbo tribe, Ca. 1920s.  The Puno peoples live on the left bank of the Upper Ngoume River and belong to a group of tribes known as the Shira. They reside in villages that are divided into clans and families and maintain social order via a society known as Moukouji who view their role of subjugating nefarious forest spirits quite seriously.  Statues such as this example are used during Moukouji ceremonies.  They are often covered in white pigment.  This white pigment is presumed to combat witchcraft.  As you can see, this statue shows a fair amount of residual white pigment covering its surface.  The subject is a female figure who is nude yet highly decorated with a fanciful ram's head coiffure, bracelets, and body scarification visible on cheeks and abdomen.  She sits on a stool supported by an elephant.  Note that the elephant appears to be quite out of scale, miniscule in comparison to the mighty female figure atop.  Perhaps this was done to underscore the high status of the woman who sits with eyes closed as if in a trance, her hands resting upon her bent knees.  The skill required to create this form and complex composition, not to mention the finely carved details such as her meticulously delineated facial features and remarkable hairstyle, is immense.  Even more, the spiritual quality communicated by the woman's expression and demeanor is unparalleled!   Size:  17-3/4" tall.

Provenance: Ex-private Pickard collection, collection begun in 1959 following university work in Africa;  Private family collection, Abidjan, 1971.

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#101574

A few old hairline cracks.  Small chip to one of elephant's feet.  Minor surface wear and loss of white pigment.  Overall good condition.