Information
Wood with a dark coating and copper spirals
H 16 cm
H 16 cm
Staff of a high-ranking member.
This very refined miniature sculpture was likely the upper part of a staff that belonged to a dignitary of court.It is made up of a face, sculpted in all its glory, wearing a hat and a red ceramic earring. The face is greased with kaolin dust and the neck, which forms the staff’s grip, is refined with spirals of copper wire. It has a light coating indicating use.
Provenance
- Former Paolo Morigi collection (Lugano) (Morigi inventory label num. 149);
- Former private collection (Lugano);
- Former private collection (Lugano);
Exhibition
- Lugano 2002, Palazzo Riva, Banca Svizzera Italiana (BSI);
Literature
- VENTURI LUCA M. “Anime antiche, arte negra, da una raccolta di sculture dell’Africa occidentale” BSI Bank, Lugano 2002, fig.41;
The Igala people are located in the area between the rivers Niger and Benue, in a vast land on the left bank of the river Benue. They have developed their court art and their Egwu Agba helmet masks are famous.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.