Statue de singe, probablement Iban, région de Sarawak, Bornéo

Alain Schoffel, Paris, fin des années 1970
Collection privée

Good conditional overall for an object of this type. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Hard, heavy and very dense wood; as visible in the catalogue illustration, surface eroded due to prolonged exposure to the elements.
"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 de singe relève d'un type provenant d'une seule région de Bornéo, située à la frontière de Sarawak et du Kalimantan. La superbe puissance de la sculpture tient à la fois de la concentration de la pose et de la remarquable dynamique des lignes anguleuses faisant, de face, glisser le regard très en profondeur. Elle est accentuée par la profonde érosion du bois dur, les traits esquissés disparaissant dans les lignes sinueuses de la veinure. cf. Newton (1998 : 85) pour une autre grande statue animalière, ex-collection Barbier-Mueller, aujourd'hui conservée au musée du quai Branly, représentant un félin et interprétée comme le sommet d'un poteau hampatong.