Female half figure
Click here to view a larger version of the imageLot: 144
89th Tribal Art AuctionFemale half figure
Sierra Leone, Mende
Provenance | Size | Starting price / estimated price |
---|---|---|
John Monroe, Nevada, USA Amyas Naegele, New York, USA |
H: 11 inch | This object is not available anymore. |
wood, glass, beads, base
Probably a medicine figure. They are kept in screened-off portion of the shrine house, which is also occupied by the principal woman of the society. Their primary use is to cure an illness, which is considered to be a result of some spiritual displeasure. The figure is used to bring spiritual aid in a person's recovery, while herbs are used to give physical aid. They are also used in cases of injury.
Wolfram, Siegfried A., Liberia, Feldkirchen 2012, p. 68, ill. 72