Attiol (a-Tshol) anthropozoomorphic altar figure, Baga Sitému or Mandori, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea H. 19.3 in - W. 30.5 in Provenance: - Collection Patricia Withofs, Londres - Collection privée, New York Hardwood with dark brown to black patina, partially oozing, tapestry nails, metal spikes, usage accidents. Just like when the “prophet” William Wade Harris came to the Ivory Coast's lagoon regions in 1914 or the Massa cult was introduced to the Senufo in the 50s, Baga underwent acultural and religious revolution with the arrival of Islam in the mid-1950s. Rituals were abandoned and any related relics became less important. This “favourable” situation partly explains the abundant collections garnered by major traders and collectors such as Hélène Kamer and Maurice Nicaud in the last decade. People knew about Tshols as early as the late 19th century (one at the Musée de l'Homme in 1883) and very low numbers of them appeared during the interwar period (one at the Toulouse Natural History Museum acquired in 1937 from the H. Labouret expedition) but they weren't really recognised by amateurs until the late 1950s. A-Tshol is a protective spirit with several roles: it can detect evil bush genies and crimes, treat sickness and take part in young people's initiation ceremonies. It was the most respected item in the clan. It was hidden in the clan or elder's sacred house and placed on a platform as it should never touch the ground. A witchdoctor/healer guarded it. This a-Tshol has an openwork human head with a ridge line and chignon, a long muzzle (bird or crocodile) on a slim neck on a wide openwork cylindrical base. This piece is made of two single parts: the head, muzzle and neck then the base. Upholstery nails line and adorn the piece. Like other Tshols, this one must have had animal horns filled with magical substances in the head's cut-outs. The patina is very deep with an encrusted surface. It was coated in kola nut juice, palm oil, the blood of a white cockerel and palm wine. In aesthetic terms, this a-Tshol is one of the most remarkable examples of these age old cults.
Attiol (a-Tshol) anthropozoomorphic altar figure, Baga Sitému or Mandori, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea H. 19.3 in - W. 30.5 in Provenance: - Collection Patricia Withofs, Londres - Collection privée, New York Hardwood with dark brown to black patina, partially oozing, tapestry nails, metal spikes, usage accidents. Just like when the “prophet” William Wade Harris came to the Ivory Coast's lagoon regions in 1914 or the Massa cult was introduced to the Senufo in the 50s, Baga underwent acultural and religious revolution with the arrival of Islam in the mid-1950s. Rituals were abandoned and any related relics became less important. This “favourable” situation partly explains the abundant collections garnered by major traders and collectors such as Hélène Kamer and Maurice Nicaud in the last decade. People knew about Tshols as early as the late 19th century (one at the Musée de l'Homme in 1883) and very low numbers of them appeared during the interwar period (one at the Toulouse Natural History Museum acquired in 1937 from the H. Labouret expedition) but they weren't really recognised by amateurs until the late 1950s. A-Tshol is a protective spirit with several roles: it can detect evil bush genies and crimes, treat sickness and take part in young people's initiation ceremonies. It was the most respected item in the clan. It was hidden in the clan or elder's sacred house and placed on a platform as it should never touch the ground. A witchdoctor/healer guarded it. This a-Tshol has an openwork human head with a ridge line and chignon, a long muzzle (bird or crocodile) on a slim neck on a wide openwork cylindrical base. This piece is made of two single parts: the head, muzzle and neck then the base. Upholstery nails line and adorn the piece. Like other Tshols, this one must have had animal horns filled with magical substances in the head's cut-outs. The patina is very deep with an encrusted surface. It was coated in kola nut juice, palm oil, the blood of a white cockerel and palm wine. In aesthetic terms, this a-Tshol is one of the most remarkable examples of these age old cults.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
