Bamileke Animal, Cameroon

Carlo Monzino, Lugano
Private Collection, acquired from the above
Sotheby's, New York, May 19, 2001, lot 179, consigned by the above
American Private Collection, acquired at the above auction

The Center for African Art, New York, African Aesthetics: the Carlo Monzino Collection, May 7 - September 7, 1986

Mario Carrieri, Fotografie. Scultura africana, Milan, 1981, cat. no. 23
Susan M. Vogel, African Aesthetics: the Carlo Monzino Collection, New York, 1986, pp. 112-113, cat. no. 91
Egidio Cossa & Jean-Louis Paudrat, Passion d'Afrique. L'art africain dans les collections italiennes, Milan, 2009, p. 55, cat. no. 8

Although the exact species of this beast is difficult to determine, one cannot deny the animal's ferocity. The narrowly carved eyes inspire a sense of fear and menace; its snarling mouth reveal jagged lines of teeth as if mid-howl, and overall its prowling form suggests a creature hungry for prey. Regarding its original function, Susan Vogel notes that 'one clue about its original position is the condition of the tail and hind legs, which shows that the rear of the animal was in contact with the earth for some time. This could have been in a secondary context, after it had been taken out of use. It is more likely, however, that this magnificent animal was once positioned vertically, perhaps at the end of a large drum.' (Susan Vogel, African Aesthetics, 1986, p. 112).