O'BYRNE COLLECTION - Lot 90

O'BYRNE COLLECTION Dogon Tomoka statue Mali Wood, metal H. 68 cm. Provenance O'Byrne Collection Publication J. L. de Vilmorin and M. Coquet, Gloire de la femme dans l'art africain, SAAA, 2008, reproduced p. 51 Exhibition Dinard, Gloire de la femme dans l'art africain, June 28 to September 14, 2008 Important Dogon statue featuring a standing female figure. The face is concentrated at the front of a pointed head. The features are sharp, as if carved with a serrated edge. Metal earrings and pearl pendants adorn the ears, nose and mouth. A pair of nails symbolizes the eyes, while thin copper plates are nailed to the back of the skull. The cylindrical body is framed by two long arms ending in large, stylized hands. Slim legs with massive feet support powerful thighs. An object of great antiquity. Left hand, right leg glued back together. Tomoka statuary is characterized by a particularly geometric treatment of the human body and the position of the hands. Among the most famous examples of this style is a statue that belonged to Jacob Epstein and is now kept at the Musée du Quai Branly (Christie's, June 19, 2013, lot 93), and one from the former Hubert Goldet collection (Christie's, June 14, 2011, lot 183).