2 Adangme Birds, "aklama" Lot n° 49

2 birds, "aklama Adangme, Ghana Mit Sockel / with base wood. H 8 - 15 cm. W 10 -22 cm. Provenance: - Hôtel des Ventes Giraudeau, Tours, France. 05.12.2020, Lot 199. - Christian Zingg (1956-2023), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Caption to the field photograph of three Adangme figures published by Schmeltz (op. cit.): "The words Aklama kpakpewo or Aklama sucwo mean, 'small carved deities'. The figures are also called Ame we luwo, 'soul of man'. These figures are always bought at least in pairs, man and woman together. If the pagan has several wives, it is absolutely necessary that each of the wives has to buy a man and a woman. The figures are considered trõwo and prayers are addressed to them, e.g. the regular morning prayer: 'Give me life, make my knee joints strong, my arm joints strong, I want to go on a journey; I'll be back'. After a happy purchase, one says the prayer of thanksgiving: 'I thank you for helping me, for buying things from me.' - If the figures are missing an arm or a leg, which often happens, they are called Adelã (deer) or Ažiza (monkey), because it is believed that in this state they resemble some animal of the field (?). When someone dies, the figures belonging to him are thrown away. This information is very interesting, but very incomplete. Undoubtedly, the figures are thought to be animated, but by whom? Ancestral images are not, and also from the Legbawo they seem to differ in their essence. The name 'soul of man' and the fact that the figures are thrown away as worthless when the owner dies, let us assume that the small carvings are believed to have a special mystical relationship to man, perhaps they are considered to be embodiments of his guardian spirits. Also the widespread belief should be remembered here that man has several souls, which are not all firmly bound to the body, but can also live outside the body. Quite puzzling is the explanation of the mutilated figures." Schmeltz, J.D.E (1901). Magic Means of the Evheer (From the Municipal Museum in Bremen)." Archives Internationales D'Ethnographie. vol. 14. page 9. --------------------------------------------------------------- Homage to Christian Zingg After his studies at the University of Neuchâtel, Christian Zingg (1956-2023) embarked on a career as a mathematics and physics teacher in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The overwhelming number of his former students and colleagues who attended his funeral shows the extent to which he was appreciated as a teacher there. His interest in art and its history manifested itself in various directions: At the height of his career, he purchased the Villa Jaquemet in his hometown, built by Le Corbusier in 1908. Before that, Christian had embarked on a long journey as a collector, initially turning to ancient coins. As a scientist who wanted to get to the bottom of things, he quickly trained in reading coin inscriptions and eventually became a specialist in Roman numismatics. Among other things, he co-authored the 468-page work "Les empereurs romains," which was published in 1994 and reprinted in 2009. Due to health problems, he decided to retire early and devote himself to his family and his passions. With a marked generosity towards his relatives and friends and an always open mind to new cultural horizons, he had started in 2016 with a collection of African art that very quickly led him, in his unquenchable thirst for knowledge, to seek information from the best sources, build a library, browse museums and visit auctions and fairs, not forgetting the Puces de Lyon, where he loved to stroll in search of unique finds. His passion never left him until the last moment, not even when he was lying in bed not far from his home, wishing that his relatives would bring him some of his favorite pieces, which he found difficult to part with. (François Mottas) CHF 50 / 100 The condition (wear, eventual cracks, tear, other imperfections and the effects of aging etc. if applicable) of this lot is as visible on the multiple photos we have uploaded for your documentation. Please feel free to contact Hammer Auctions for all questions you might have regarding this lot (info@hammerauktionen.ch). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Hammer Auctions shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Hammer Auctions is here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Hammer Auctions within 5 da