Early 20th C. African Moba Wood Figure - Tchitcheri

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Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographic Fine Art...

By Artemis Gallery

Mar 24, 2022

Set Reminder 2022-03-24 10:00:00 2022-03-24 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographic Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-ethnographic-fine-art-9057
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• Lot Description
  West Africa, Northwest Togo, Moba people, ca. early 20th century CE. A fantastic, abstract shrine figure, known as tchitcheri, skillfully hand-carved from a single piece of wood. Standing atop tapered legs, the stylized figure displays wide hips, an attenuated waist, a lengthy torso, a distended chest, and sloped shoulders with slender arms falling to his sides. A prominent collar flares outward from the neck, just below the figure's spherical head. Though slanted slightly downward, the head presents no features, creating an ethereal aura to the piece. Note the weathered texture of the wood, indicating that this figure was likely kept outdoors for decades to protect a Moba village. Size: 3.5" W x 24.3" H (8.9 cm x 61.7 cm); 25.5" H (64.8 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  Although a simple interpretation of the human form, this figure is a powerful guardian! Tchitcheri serve a protective function and allow their owners to communicate their needs and problems to the supreme being. It was believed that the spirits within the carvings were so powerful, that only diviners could safely create these figures, as those who attempted to make tchitcheri without protective magic risked insanity or blindness!
  
  Tchitcheri are divided into 3 different types: small, medium, and large. The smaller figures, or yundu tchitcheri, do not represent a specific person or ancestor and are for personal shrines that function in personal contexts for personal needs. Diviners recommend one have multiples of these tchitcheri if they are going through a difficult time in life. These are kept within a house and given offerings of water, millet flour, and sacrificial fowl. Next, the medium-sized tchitcheri, or bawoong tchitcheri, which is the type that this example falls into, are created to represent ancestors or recently departed family members and are erected outside of a home to ensure good health, a successful harvest, and the prosperity of domestic animals. Last, the largest tchitcheri, or tchitcheri sakab, symbolize more ancient ancestors. Typically buried up to their waste, these figures are said to have been created by founding members of the clan and have been around for many generations.
  
  The process of commissioning a tchitcheri is also highly sacred. First, one must consult a diviner who will alerts God and the ancestors to the proceedings in the typical way Moba announce their presence to others; by clapping their hands together, asking to be recognized, and stating the purpose of their visit. The diviner will then create a connection between himself or herself and the client by using a staff that will be held between the both of them. After this, questions about the Moba figure will be asked and the answers will be indicated by how the staff lies. At the conclusion of the session, the diviner will have determined for the client the size and gender they should commission. The fact that a diviner must approve the creation of these figures indicates how important they are to ritual life.
  
  Cf. Baltimore Museum of Art, 1893.595, Yale University Art Gallery, 2006.51.523, and Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2020.4.
  
  Provenance: private Jersey City, New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Srdjan Sremac collection, Netherlands; ex-Adrian Schlag collection, Belgium
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #169908

  Condition

  Expected weathering to wood with areas of surface loss, as well as chips, nicks, and abrasions. Several stable fissures throughout. Some small perforations in areas. Otherwise, intact and excellent with lovely patina.
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