Sage with his child — Kissi, Guinea — African tribal art — Ref. 116

Description

Stone sculpture attributed to the Kissi, a people living in the border region between Guinea and Sierra Leone, known for their famous stone figures called “Pomdo”. This piece represents two superimposed figures: a bearded male figure with a powerful expression above a smaller figure, potentially symbolising a spiritual relationship between the ancestors and the living.
The stone, with a smooth texture patinated by time, testifies to prolonged handling or natural exposure, characteristics of old works of this type. The assembly with a perfectly fitted wooden base suggests that it may have been added later to facilitate transport or presentation, although it is possible that it was part of the work from its original conception.
Kissi sculptures, often used in ritual contexts, were venerated for their protective role and as intermediaries between the living and the spirits. Through its unique composition and double figurative register, this piece is distinguished by marked symbolic power.
An exceptional piece from the West African sculptural tradition.

Technical details

Type of piece

Statuette

Category

Statues

Ethnic group

Kissi

Country

Guinée

Materials

stone and socle en wood

Dimensions

H 35 × W 8 × D 16 cm

Weight

4,5 kg

Estimated dating

second half 20th c.

Laboratory test

Not tested

Reference

116