Dogon Bombou-Toro Ritual Vessel, Mali

John J. Klejman, New York
William B. Jaffe and Evelyn Annenberg Jaffe Hall, New York, acquired from the above on April 27, 1967
By descent from the above to the present owner

Very good condition for an object of this type and age. Surface with scratches, marks, nicks, and abrasions throughout consistent with age and use. Some age cracks and small chips throughout. Chip to proper right braid and proper right foot, and loss to proper right hand of equestrian figure. Abrasions around rim and underside of lid. Age cracks to bowl, one with a single metal staple for stabilization (native repair). Some insect damage inside bowl. Insect damage where back of horse meets underside of bowl, and in underside of foot, with cavity near horse's back legs. Some insect damage extending up through proper right front leg of horse and proper right back leg and body. Some remnants of insect casings, and an old nail underneath foot. Exceptionally fine varied brown patina with residue.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The cubistic style reflected in the columnar bodies, engraved linear decoration, and distinctive heads of the figures on the present sculpture, with downward-pointed arrow shaped noses and ridged, notched coiffures and projecting chin beards, are the hallmarks of the Dogon Bombou-Toro style, originating from the center of the Southern Bandiagara cliff (Leloup 1994: 154-159).  Several stylistically closely related works count amongst the most iconic Dogon artworks: cf. the Wunderman Couple in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no. "1977.394.15", most recently published on the cover of Tribal Art, Hors-Serie/Special Issue #2: Chefs-d'œuvre DOGON Masterworks, 2011); the couple in the Barnes Foundation, Lower Merion (inv. no. "AI97"); a seated figure in the Menil Collection, Houston (inv. no. "X2034"), and the seated figure formerly in the collections of Georges de Miré, Louis Carré, Jacop Epstein, and Carlo Monzino (Leloup 1994: pls. 74-75).

Vessels such as the offered lot were used to hold food consumed during the investment rituals of Dogon religious and political leaders known as hogon. A closely related vessel, possibly by the same hand as the offered lot and also with Klejman provenance, is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no. "1979.206.173a-c").