French Wood Sculptures, Couple of Busts, Sculptures of Africans from the Congo

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French Wood Sculptures, Couple of Busts, Sculptures of Africans from the Congo

About the Item

One of a kind pair of African busts, from the Congo region, made during the 1940s-1950s of the previous century, possibly a French artist Both present the characteristic features of the race to which they belong: triangular and drooping eyes, a broad and flattened nose, thick lips and a prominent jaw. In both cases, the hair is very delicately worked, which is characteristic of their culture and a distinctive feature of the upper classes. In the case of men, the beard follows the same characteristics. The elongation of the skull occurs intentionally, distorting the natural growth of the skull of children through the application of forces. It is very common in the area to which we refer, and is considered a sign of social status. For its part, the figure of the man presents scarifications on the forehead. Scarifications are produced by a series of superficial cuts in the skin that, when healed, leave different marks and volumes. For centuries, they have been used in practically the entire continent, normally for ritual, identification purposes, to perpetuate traditions... in addition to the aesthetic sense. They are very expressive figures, of extreme beauty, thanks to the mastery of the author when it comes to working a wood, providing a polished and shiny finish. The fine veins, which stand out thanks to their light color compared to the dark tone of the base of the wood, seem to accompany the volumes of the figures. This wood has very dark tones and great hardness and density. It presents a very low risk of deformation and is very resistant to humidity; however, it is also very complicated to work with. Traditionally it has been used to make musical instruments, pieces of furniture and works of art. In the Congo River area, an art much more closely linked to the court developed, characterized by the rich ornamentation of its works. In that area, even today some of the traditional cultures are maintained, whose origin dates back to the 16th century. They are, therefore, works linked to the representation of the court, wealth. These types of sculptures, within African culture, are known as "masks". African masks are extremely valuable, as they play a fundamental role in all kinds of ceremonies and rites, including funerals. They always represent spirits or ancestors, mythological heroes. They are considered sacred objects, mediators between God and the ancestors, whom they venerate. They have a wide participation in daily life, they are a fundamental part of their culture and their identity. During the colonial era, many of these masks were destroyed by missionaries, as they saw in them a dangerous religious competition.Dimensions: Woman: 110 x 45 x 35 cm Man: 100 x 43 x 40cm.

Dimensions:
Height: 110 in (279.4 cm)Width: 45 in (114.3 cm)Depth: 35 in (88.9 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Art Deco (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Wood,Hand-Carved
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1940-1949
Date of Manufacture:
1940
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Valladolid, ES
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2943333422752