Figure

Grasslands region, Cameroon
19th–early 20th c.
Wood

Provenance: Guy and Nathalie Porre, Paris

This powerful sculptural figure originates from the Cameroon Grasslands and exemplifies the region’s highly abstracted approach to the human form. Carved as a compact vertical composition, the figure is built from a sequence of rounded, oval-shaped volumes that stack and balance with striking sculptural clarity.

The surface is deeply encrusted and worn, bearing the dense, dark patina associated with prolonged ritual use and age. At the back of the torso is a distinct square opening, likely intended for the insertion of medicinal substances or ritual materials, reinforcing the figure’s spiritual and functional role.

The arms terminate in exaggerated, oversized hands pressed firmly against the sides of the body, emphasizing containment, strength, and inner power rather than naturalistic anatomy. Particularly compelling are the legs, carved in a bold zigzag formation that introduces rhythmic movement and visual tension while anchoring the figure with remarkable stability.

Reduced to essential forms yet charged with presence, this sculpture embodies the Grasslands aesthetic: abstraction over realism, mass over detail, and surface over polish.