A Sukuma Figure, "amaleba" Lot n° 77

Articulated figure, "amaleba" Sukuma, Tanzania Mit Sockel / with base Wood, metal. H 211 cm. Provenance: - Peter H. Loebarth (1941-2015), Hamelin. - Walter and Molly Bareiss, Munich / New York. - Neumeister, Munich. 13.11.2008, lot 1274. - Swiss private collection, Basel. Published: - Jahn, J. / Kecskési, Maria / Félix, M. L. (1994). Tanzania. Masterpieces of African Sculpture. Munich: Fred Jahn. - Roy, Christopher D. / Haenlein, Carl (1997). Kilengi. African Art from the Bareiss Collection. An exhibition of the Kestner Gesellschaft in the Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus. - Roy, Christopher D. / Haenlein, Carl (1999). Kilengi: African Art from the Bareiss Family Collection. Washington: University of Washington Press. Exhibited: "Kilengi. African Art from the Bareiss Collection": - Hanover: Kestner Gesellschaft, 1997. - Vienna: Mak - Austrian Museum of Applied Arts, 1998. - Munich: Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, 1998. - lowa City: The University of lowa Museum of Art, 1999. - Purchase: Neuberger Museum of Art, State University of New York, 2000. According to Hartwig (1969), these are dolls that were used in dance competitions. Thanks to their movable bodies, they could be staged in ever-changing and sometimes comical poses. This served to provide entertainment and surprise at the competitions, which sometimes lasted for days, and to increase the chances of winning. If a troupe succeeded in attracting the desired attention with the figure, it was used several times and became the troupe's mascot, so to speak. Roy / Haenlein (1997) point out that there is a stylistically very similar marionette in the Bareiss collection, which could be seen as the male counterpart to the figure depicted. Further reading: Jahn, J. / Kecskési, Maria / Félix, M. L. (1994). Tanzania. Masterpieces of African Sculpture. Munich: Fred Jahn. -------------------------------------------- ATTENTION: please contact us for shipping information. Due to the size and weight, costs might be considerable. ATTENTION: please contact us for shipping information. Due to the size and weight, costs might be considerable. CHF 8 000 / 12 000 Condition: The condition (possible wear, signs of use, cracks, possible other impairments and 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.