Statuette, Zande, République Démocratique du Congo

Collecté in situ par les Pères Croisiers du Vicariat de Bondo, entre 1925 et 1940
Collection privée

Burssens, "Yanda-Beelden en Mani-Sekte bij de Azande (Centraal-Afrika)" in Annales du Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale, n° 4, 1962, pl. XXXIV, n°340

Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Exceptional rough old patina with some small dents and losses. In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cette statuette Yanda du type Kudu (dépourvu de jambes) illustre la prodigieuse modernité atteinte par l'archaïque sculpture Zande. Elle exprime la force inhérente à l'esprit protecteur du culte Mani et l'inventivité plastique que le sculpteur se devait d'y formuler (Burssens, "Yanda-Beelden en Mani-Sekte bij de Azande (Centraal-Afrika)" in Annales du Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale, n° 4, 1962). A la profonde patine d'usage attestant sa grande ancienneté s'ajoutent les - rares - perles bleues serties dans les yeux, qui renforçaient sa puissance magico-religieuse (idem, p. 217). Elle s'apparente étroitement, par la radicale géométrie de ses formes, à la statuette en os de la collection Lerner (Sotheby's, New York, 11 mai 2012, n° 164).