Lot: 93

87th Tribal Art Auction

Calabash altar

Benin, Fon

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
Günther Filla, Bochum, Germany D: 11.8 inch;
H: 6.5 inch
This object is not available anymore.

pumpkin, clay-like mass, six wood figures, various iron objects, strips of fabric, one of the figures wrapped with cord and fit with animal horn and cowrie shells, completely covered by strongly encrusted sacrificial patina (palm oil and blood sacrifice), slightly dam., crack at the rim of the calabash (spread with mass).
The altar may have belonged to a family or to a whole village community. The attributes refer to various deities.