Nyeleni Female Figure - Bambara (Bamana) People, southern Mali M45

Bambara sculpture is primarily devoted to female figures. One important category is Nyeleni, which depicts young women carved to emphasise ideal attributes of feminine beauty used in Jo society initiates performances. The figures are placed on display in the dance area, or held by the dancers. The carvings enhance the young men's performances. According to the Metropolitan museum of art "Young unmarried Bamana men use nyeleni sculpture to represent the ideal marriageable woman they hope to find as a wife and partner. The term nyeleni is derived from a traditional Bamana girl's name and has multiple interpretations, including "pretty little one" or "little ornament." The female figure is believed to protect the initiates from harm.

Ex. Helene and Philippe LeLoup, New York 1992 and Ex. Christopher and Genevieve McConnell collection - On the LeLoup letterhead, it stated that this figure was guaranteed to be over 100 years old - (and this was in 1992).

“The name of Hélène Leloup is synonymous with works of exceptional quality. As a passionate visionary she was one of very few women in the field of African art from the 1950s when she began. From the 87 catalogues for the exhibitions she produced in her four galleries to the more than fifty museums she sold to, no dealer of the mid to late twentieth century did more to develop an appreciation of African art and culture on an international scale."Jean Fritts, Sotheby's International Consultant, African and Oceanic Art.

Back of hair and part of base and arm missing. Left arm and leg broken and repaired, and cracks in abdomen.

For similar example see the Metropolitan Museum of Art Accession Number: 1979.206.12

Height: 32 ½" x Width: 7 ¼" x Depth: 6 ¾" - height including the 8 ¾" x 8 ¼" base is 33 ½".

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