An old seated figure from the Agni people – who come from the eastern settlement area of the Akan tribes (Ashanti, Atie, Abron, Kulango and others) – east of the stylistically similar Baule, in Ivory Coast. The mother carries her child on her back. She sits on a typical stool, that in turn sits on a tall, rectangular plinth – it is all exquisitely carved from one piece of hard wood and was originally dyed black. The mother displays a beautiful, straight hairstyle – with a tall middle crest and three plaits around the side. There are customary tribal scarification marks around the hairline (accentuated in white) as well as on the forehead and the temples of the long, slender, serious and calm-looking face. They also appear on her abdomen and above her breasts (also accentuated in white). Her freely carved arms rest on her knees, and her fingers and toes are well carved out. The entire sculpture displays a very nice, old, black shiny patina, brightened scuffed areas as a result of protracted use (on the nose, knees and on the child behind), as well as only some damage (small pieces broken off the hair above and on the base). Height: 41 cm (figure without base). First third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Private collection Jean-Francois Perry, Paris; Austrian private collection.

Lit.:
'African Art in American Collections' by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 417, 418.