Deceased Female Ancestor
From book "My First Ninety Years"
Cameroon, early 20th century
monoxyl light brown wood with some dark painted parts
h. 53 cm
MGZ 4753
A nice example of the so-called “poteau” style, each form in its volume being autonomous and yet independent in the common rhythm. The distorted face and gap-teeth suggest the Bamoum religion. Up to 1914 a small number of artists, writers and amateurs collected African art, but after that year it took all areas of the decorative arts by storm. Paul Cassirer, buying these statuettes, reacted with amazing speed.
Literature: Šterk, Slavko. Tilla Durieux and Her Art Collection in Zagreb. Zagreb: Zagreb City Museum, 1986, p. 48