a fine lobi maternity figure

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Details

a fine lobi maternity figure
Standing with the large child on her hip, the mother's left arm holding the back of the child, the child with one arm held to its mother's breast, the other at its side, crusty patina
21cm. high

Literature

Attenborough, D. and Waterfield, H. et al., Miniature African Sculptures from the Herman Collection, London, 1985, p.43, fig.30

Exhibited

African Sculpture from Private Collections in London, South London Art Gallery, 1979, no.21
Durham, Bristol, Swansea, Sheffield, Coventry, organised by the Arts Council of Great Britain, 1985

Special notice

Christie's charge a buyer's premium of 20% (VAT inclusive) for this lot.

Lot Essay

This superb carving probably dates from the beginning of the twentieth century, or earlier. The absurdity of a child carved as large as the mother is resolved in the way it is perched lightly on her hip, the subtle tilt of the mother's body restoring the balance of the composition. Josef Herman made a watercolour sketch of the carving, which is reproduced in the Arts Council 1985 catalogue referred to above, and repeatedly developed the ideas it inspired for him (see lot 41)

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