Antique Burkina Faso African Hand Carved Anthropomorphic Trough Sculpture on Custom Stand

Details

Description

Culture/Period: Nuna, Winiama, or related Gur-speaking cultures, late 19th to early 20th century

Medium: Hand-carved wood with significant patina

Dimensions: … Read more Culture/Period: Nuna, Winiama, or related Gur-speaking cultures, late 19th to early 20th century

Medium: Hand-carved wood with significant patina

Dimensions: Vessel: 12.75" H x 5" D x 5" W; Overall with custom stand: 34.75" H

Description:

A large carved anthropomorphic vessel of cultural importance. The sculpture takes the form of a stylized human figure, serving as a long, narrow lidded container. The precise, abstracted facial features and the overall form are characteristic of the sculptural traditions of the Gur-speaking peoples of central Burkina Faso. The surface is covered in a heavy patina from repeated handling and use. The lid is carved to sit flush within the vessel's opening. It is presented on a custom metal display stand.

Provenance:

This is a documented work from the seminal Thomas G.B. Wheelock Collection, New York. Wheelock was a preeminent scholar-collector who dedicated over thirty years to building one of the most comprehensive private collections of art from Burkina Faso. His methodology was exceptional for its time, based on direct, long-term engagement with the source communities and artists. His legacy is preserved in the publication Land of the Flying Masks: Art and Culture in Burkina Faso; The Thomas G.B. Wheelock Collection (Prestel, 2007), and through works accessioned into major institutions, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Condition Report:

The surface has patina across all surfaces. There is minor checking and wear to the wood, which is structurally sound. The original collection label remains affixed to the base.. The custom stand is not original to the object but is provided for secure display. See less