A male Kaka sculpture, Nigeria or Cameroon, The head bears a central crest, a short, small nose, hardly noticeable eyes, large, flat ears and a long straight goatee with lines in relief. "The wide open mouth dominates the face of this Kaka figure – it is reminiscent of the famous painting ‘The Scream’ by Edvard Munch..Little is known about the Kaka people, the eastern neighbours of the Mambila, or about the purpose of their highly expressive figures. They are placed in shrines and receive many sacrificial offerings (as can be seen from the patina) and protect against evil spirits and witchcraft. 
The present figure is a typical, old and perfectly preserved example of Kaka sculpture. It has some cracks due to age on the head and body and an authentic, black, encrusted patina, which is truly valued by connoisseurs." Dorotheum.

Lit.:
‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 534 (an almost identical item); ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 314.

600 -800,- Euro

Height: 35 cm‚
Weight: 820 g