Mythical zoomorphic terracotta figure. Tenenkou,... Lot 447

Mythical zoomorphic terracotta figure. Tenenkou, Mali, 12th-16th century H 35.5cm. This enigmatic mythical figure with its vertically upturned head and stubby arms (breasts are indicated at the bottom) is the only one of the five known types that bears no resemblance to a living being; it appears to be a spirit with a special mission (inv. no. KS T16). Illustrated in: A. Achmann, A. Schröder, 2019, Faszination Kunst, Munich (2019), p. 112. Brown, shiny patina, intact Provenance: Acquired in the 1990s in the Paris art trade, since then in Germany.