An Agni Figure Lot n° 50

Standing female figure Akan, Agni, Côte d'Ivoire Mit Sockel / with base Wood. H 45,5 cm. Provenance: Beatrice Leutert and Marcel Plüss, Thurgau, Switzerland. The term "Akan" refers to a group of peoples of Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana who are linguistically and culturally related. Among them are the Asante, the Fante, the Baule and also the Anyi (or Agni). The artistic style of the mainly female Anyi figures has many similarities with that of their western neighbors, the Baule. However, the figures do not represent "spiritual spouses", but rather come from the environment of girl initiation and/or ancestor worship. The work offered here, by a skilled carver in hard wood with a beautiful old luster patina, is a good example of the skillfully fine, detailed style of this area. In the matrilineal society of the Akan, self-confidence, grace, serenity, dignity, stability, poise and many other qualities are among those that should distinguish a woman. Besides this, the woman stands upright on the ground, with which she is powerfully rooted. Closely related to the central theme of motherhood are food, family and the continuity of the clan or state. This sculpture was probably ritually worshipped and sacrificed in a shrine in this context. Further reading: Cole, Herbert M. / Ross, Doran H. (1977). The Arts of Ghana. Los Angeles: University of California. CHF 800 / 1 200 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 days of receiving the item. ------------------------------------ The condition (any wear, signs of use, cracks, any other deterioration and the signs of age etc.) of this lot can be seen in the photos we have uploaded for your documentation. Hammer Auctions will be happy to answer any questions you may have about this item (info@hammerauktionen.ch). Any statements regarding the condition of the items made as a matter of fact to prospective buyers are opinions only and should not be treated as statements of fact. Hammer Auctions assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. In the rare event that the item does not match the description in the catalog, Hammer Auctions is here to help. Buyers may return the lot for a full refund, provided they notify Hammer Auctions within 5 days of receiving the lot.