Lot 24
  • 24

Statue, Zande, République Démocratique du Congo ou Soudan

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 EUR
bidding is closed

Description

  • Zande
  • Statue
  • Wood and pigment
  • haut. 34,5 cm
  • 13 5/8 in

Provenance

Christian Duponcheel, Bruxelles
Collection Saul et Marsha Stanoff (1918-2006 & 1923-2013), New York, acquis ca. 1970
Sotheby's, New York, "The Saul and Marsha Stanoff Collection", 17 Mai 2007, n° 46
Collection Frum, acquis lors de cette vente

Literature

Robbins et Nooter, African Art in American Collections, 1989, p. 499, n° 1290
Schaedler, Encyclopedia of African Art  and Culture, 2009, p. 634

Condition

Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Two small stabilized cracks to the rear, one behind the shoulder and another one on the right buttock. Tips of fingers of the proper left hand are partly missing. Warm patina in reddish tone with black tint in places.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

William Fagg fut le premier, dans The sculpture of Africa (1958, ill. 314 et 315), à identifier et à attribuer aux Zande, un corpus de sculptures notamment caractérisé par "l'inhabituelle et impressionnante conceptualisation de la tête et du corps [...] nettement distincte du style Mangbetu auquel elles avaient été jusqu'alors attribuées". Plusieurs de ces "sculptures majeures, dont deux sont conservées au British Museum, furent trouvées à Yambio, au Soudan, dans le Bahr-el-Ghazal méridional" (idem). Selon Grootaers (Ubangi, Art et cultures au coeur de l'Afrique, 2007, p. 255-256), ce style trouverait vraisemblablement "son origine à Yambio, à la cour du roi Gbudue (1835-1905)". Voir Fagg (Sculptures africaines, 1965, n° 111), pour une sculpture très apparentée et de même iconographie, conservée à la Rhodes National Gallery de Salisbury (actuel National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare).