Lot Essay
Le style N'duléri est reconnu comme l'une des expressions les plus classiques de l'art dogon. Bien que ce style s'étende sur plusieurs siècles, seules quelques pièces sont considérées comme archétypales. Notre œuvre en est un exemple. Le thème du cheval et du cavalier, caractéristique du style N'duléri, a été représenté de diverses manières au fil du temps, correspondant à différentes périodes. En effet, notre œuvre peut être comparée à une poignée d'autres exemples connus, notamment : une sculpture de la collection du Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. n° 1979.206.85) ; une autre pièce de la collection Dapper, anciennement issue de la collection Jay C. Leff ; une sculpture d'une collection privée, récemment publiée par Pezzoli, L. et al., Africa. La terra degli spiriti, Milan, 2015 ; et un exemple fragmentaire de l'ancienne collection Egon Guenther.
The N’duleri style is recognized as one of the most classic expressions of Dogon art. Although this style spans several centuries, only a few pieces are considered archetypal. Our present lot is one such example. The horse and rider theme, a hallmark of the N’duleri style, has been depicted in various ways over time, corresponding to different periods. Indeed, our present lot can be compared to a handful of other known examples, including: a sculpture from the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. no. 1979.206.85); another piece in the Dapper collection, formerly part of the Jay C. Leff collection; a sculpture from a private collection, last published by Pezzoli, L. et al., Africa. La terra degli spiriti, Milan, 2015 ; a fragmentary example from the former Egon Guenther collection.
The N’duleri style is recognized as one of the most classic expressions of Dogon art. Although this style spans several centuries, only a few pieces are considered archetypal. Our present lot is one such example. The horse and rider theme, a hallmark of the N’duleri style, has been depicted in various ways over time, corresponding to different periods. Indeed, our present lot can be compared to a handful of other known examples, including: a sculpture from the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. no. 1979.206.85); another piece in the Dapper collection, formerly part of the Jay C. Leff collection; a sculpture from a private collection, last published by Pezzoli, L. et al., Africa. La terra degli spiriti, Milan, 2015 ; a fragmentary example from the former Egon Guenther collection.