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Iron Nommo Ancestral Spirit Lamp Stand Iron Nommo Ancestral Spirit Lamp Stand Iron Nommo Ancestral Spirit Lamp Stand Iron Nommo Ancestral Spirit Lamp Stand Iron Nommo Ancestral Spirit Lamp Stand Iron Nommo Ancestral Spirit Lamp Stand
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Details

LOT 2697

Iron Nommo Ancestral Spirit Lamp Stand

DOGON TRIBE, MALI, CIRCA 19TH CENTURY A.D.

52 in. (6.25 kg total, 132 cm including stand).

Flat-section shaft with three tiered cross-bars, the two lowest each with five lamp-bowls to the forward face; above, a U-shaped bar with a lamp bowl at each upper end; top of the shaft developing to an anthropomorphic torso with ellipsoid head and two narrow arms raised vertically; chain around the neck with hand-forged extinguishing spoon; mounted on a square base.

Provenance

From the private collection of Dr Hans-Joachim Koloss, Berlin, Germany, 1975-2002.
Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Germany, auction 279, no.410.

Accompanied by a copy of the Gorny & Mosch invoice and illustrated catalogue listing.
Accompanied by a copy of the German cultural export licence.

Footnotes

The figure is probably a Nommo, a primordial ancestral spirit in Dogon cosmogony. A Nommo is usually considered to be amphibious, hermaphroditic and fish-like. They are typically depicted in Dogon art with a humanoid upper torso, and a fish-like lower torso and tail.

CONDITION
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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 2697

Iron Nommo Ancestral Spirit Lamp Stand

Sold for (Inc. bp): £364

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  • Iron Nommo Ancestral Spirit Lamp Stand
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    Dogon Tribe, Mali, circa 19th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £364

    Flat-section shaft with three tiered cross-bars, the two lowest each with five lamp-bowls to the forward face; above, a U-shaped bar with a lamp bowl at each upper end; top of the shaft developing to an anthropomorphic torso with ellipsoid head and two narrow arms raised vertically; chain around the neck with hand-forged extinguishing spoon; mounted on a square base. 6.25 kg total, 132 cm including stand



    From the private collection of Dr Hans-Joachim Koloss, Berlin, Germany, 1975-2002. Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Germany, auction 279, no.410. Accompanied by a copy of the Gorny & Mosch invoice and illustrated catalogue listing. Accompanied by a copy of the German cultural export licence.

    The figure is probably a Nommo, a primordial ancestral spirit in Dogon cosmogony. A Nommo is usually considered to be amphibious, hermaphroditic and fish-like. They are typically depicted in Dogon art with a humanoid upper torso, and a fish-like lower torso and tail.

    Lot Details

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