A Mende Figure, "kambei / minsereh" Lot n° 34

Figure, "kambei / minsereh" Mende, Sierra Leone Ohne Sockel / without base Wood, glass beads. H 46 cm. Provenance: - Galerie Maria Wyss, Basel. - Rosmarie Suzanne Kiefer (1927-2021), Basel. Acquired before 1976. - Community of heirs Suzanne Kiefer. According to Hommel (op. cit.), the female Mende figures belonged to the yassi society and were called minsereh. According to Hart (op. cit.), they belonged to the njayei association and were called kambei. Both sources see their use in the context of initiation and healing. According to them, they embodied fertility and had protective and therapeutic powers. As ancestor figures that stood in protected altars, they were materialized connections to the founders of the lineage and were also used for divination. Further reading: - Hart, William (1993). Sculptures of the Njayei Society among the Mende. Los Angeles: African Arts Magazine, Vol 26, No. 3. - Hommel, William L. (1974). Art of the Mende. College Park: The Art Gallery and Department of Art, University of Maryland. CHF 3 000 / 6 000 Weight in grams: 681 Condition: The condition (any wear, signs of use, tears, any other deterioration and the signs of age, etc.) of this lot can be seen in the photos we have uploaded for your documentation. If you have any questions about this item, please do not hesitate to contact Hammer Auctions (info@hammerauktionen.ch). The information regarding the condition of the items provided for the convenience of interested parties is an opinion only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Hammer Auctions accepts 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.