Product Description
Djenne Monkey Figure – Mali
Made of 100% Terracotta
Model is W 28 – H 37 – D 24 and weight 11 kg
This anthropomorphic figure belongs to the Djenne, It is made of ancient terracotta or fired clay, sculpted by hand in a sitting position, with one finger under each eyeballs, as a mourning gesture, and “So you shall see”. This sculpture is characterized by refined and detailed carving of the clay, a distinctive approach comparable to the wood-carving traditions of Africa, and even more so of the Baule.
In Djenne, they are also called Grebo same as the Baule, a god with several tasks, for he is both judge of hell and helper of those in need, protector of the livings against their enemies. Their use are unknown, but they were found most often inside the houses of the Djenne, next to the effigies of Malian big figures or chief ancestors, and their gestures is always of mourning.
Description
This anthropomorphic figure belongs to the Djenne tribe of Mali, It is made of terracotta or fired clay, sculpted by hand in sitting position, and pigmented. The monkey is touching with one finger each of his eyeballs, it is a mourning gesture, and “So you shall see”. The sculpture is characterized by refined and detailed carving of the clay, a distinctive approach comparable to the Nok wood-carving traditions. The head gives the sculpture a powerful and fearsome appearance, to convey the awe and respect necessary to perform the regulating functions of the village life that were expected from the statue. A mixed feeling of dread and reverence.”the love and fear of God”.
Monkeys, Apes, were also seen as one of the most high esteemed, and intelligent animal, and a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. They are identified as primate, prime meaning first, chief, excellent, so should be embraced as nature qualities, characteristics, and creatures of God. In Djenne, they also called Grebo, same as the Baule, a god with several tasks, for he is both judge of hell and helper of those in need, protector of the livings against their enemies. Their use is unknown, but they were found most often inside the houses of the Djenne next to the effigies of Malian big figures or chief ancestors, and their gestures is always of mourning. Women fear them and are forbidden to touch them or to be accustomed to the sculpture for they say they take from their source of power.
The art of the inner delta of the Niger, the region formed by the triangle of the cities of Mopti, Ke Macina, and Djenne, bears witness to an astonishing richness of invention and a lively concern with detail, but declined and was abandoned by 1400. Items of cast brass and forged iron, clay vessels, and figures like this one survived. They testify to what scholars contend was a richly varied and highly sophisticated urban society.
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