Lumbu Gabon In the remarkable book "Les Lumbu", un art sacré - Lot 166

Lumbu Gabon In the remarkable book "Les Lumbu", un art sacré, (Edition Dulon 2016) Charlotte Grand-Dufay has studied on page 252 a statue representing the Nzighu chimpanzee, probably sculpted by the same artist as the one we present. The chimpanzee represents a totemic animal linked to the initiation rite of bwiti. Endowed with considerable power, it was kept in the chief's hut, helping to consolidate his power. This prodigiously inventive sculpture balances powerful yet light volumes, highlighted by the use of three colors: Guimet blue and Kaolin powder. The intensity of the gaze is created by the black pupil in the form of a lozenge standing out against a white background protected by a glass half-circle, as is traditional in Lumbu statuary. Acquired in Libreville in the 80s and 90s by Jacques de Vilmorin, this sculpture is very similar to the one collected by Jacques Viault on the mainland of the Mayumba lagoon. CF: Sotheby's catalog December 12, 2017 lot 35 Paris. H: 52cm Jacques De Vilmorin collection