Statue, Waja / Jukun , Nigeria

Acquise d'Hélène et Philippe Leloup, Paris

 

 

 

Good condition overall, wear consistent with age and use within the culture: nicks, scratches and minor losses; earlobe of proper right ear broken and glued; earlobe of proper left ear broken and glued; area on the proper right backside of the head filled. Exceptionally fine blackened oily patina.
"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 rare statue féminine s'inscrit dans la confluence des styles du nord-est nigérian, puisant dans l'esthétique Mumuye, Jukun et Waja, la puissance remarquable de sa sculpture.   

Tout en témoignant de l'exceptionnelle invention formelle de cette aire stylistique, et en particulier de l'art Mumuye, elle se distingue par la très grande rareté de son corpus et par une dynamique davantage vouée à l'exaltation de la puissance qu'à celle du mouvement. Du style nucléaire de la statuaire Jukun relèvent ici la tête à crête conique, les lobes d'oreilles distendus et les bras encadrant l'abdomen. Aux Waja voisins, elle emprunte l'expression saisissante du visage relevé, bouche entrouverte et yeux tournés vers le ciel. L'exceptionnelle patine noire, huileuse, met en valeur la dynamique des formes et la rigueur du décor linéaire profondément gravé.

cf. Durand-Dessert (2008 : 58 et 62) pour une statue très comparable dans la collection Liliane et Michel Durand-Dessert, Paris.

Waja/Jukun figure, Nigeria

This rare female statue is part of the confluence of styles from the north-eastern Nigeria, drawing

This rare female figure draws its remarkable sculptural power from the confluence of the Mumuye, Jukun, and Waja styles in north-eastern Nigeria.

The offered figure, which is part of a rare corpus of related works, demonstrates the remarkable formal inventiveness of these styles and the power of Mumuye sculpture in particular. The conical head-crest, distended earlobes, and arms, which encircle the abdomen, are all drawn from Jukun statuary, whilst the strikingly pointed face, open mouth, and eyes turned skyward are taken from the neighbouring Waja people. The exceptional oily black patina highlights the formal dynamism and the deeply incised linear decoration.

Cf. Durand-Dessert (2008: 58 and 62) for a very similar figure in the collection of Liliane and Michel Durand-Dessert, Paris.