Information
8,7 x 5 cm
Steatite figure.
This depicts the head of a male character that the Mende people called Mahen Yafe, which means “Spirit of the Chief”.The face is sculpted following styles that characterise these precious stones.Their function was to depict the faces of the chiefs of the Sapi, groups of people who were already living in Sierra Leone’s coastal region before 1500.They are considered rarer than Nomoli.The characteristics that distinguish them are a large face cast on a horizontal plane; protruding, slanting eyelids; a nose with flared nostrils; large rings on the ears; and an elaborate hairstyle with diamond-shaped incisions.
Steatite figure.
This depicts the head of a male character that the Mende people called Mahen Yafe, which means “Spirit of the Chief”.The face is sculpted following styles that characterise these precious stones.Their function was to depict the faces of the chiefs of the Sapi, groups of people who were already living in Sierra Leone’s coastal region before 1500.They are considered rarer than Nomoli.The characteristics that distinguish them are a large face cast on a horizontal plane; protruding, slanting eyelids; a nose with flared nostrils; large rings on the ears; and an elaborate hairstyle with diamond-shaped incisions.
Provenance
Galleria Paolo Morigi, Lugano (1978);
Collection of Walter Schwab, Bern (inv. WS 235);
Collection of Walter Schwab, Bern (inv. WS 235);
Specialist Notes
Lot not located at Finarte offices but in Switzerland. It could be subject to customs costs related to the importation into the buyer’s country. In any event, any customs cost and/or burden related to importation shall be borne by the buyer. For more information, please write an email to arteafricana@finarte.it;
Condition report
To request a Condition Report, please contact arteafricana@finarte.it
The department will provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that what Finarte declares with respect to the state of conservation of the objects corresponds only to a qualified opinion and that 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. We always suggest prospective buyers to inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition during the exhibition days as indicated in the catalog.