Statue

Figure of the Sapi people, from Sierra Leone or Liberia. The sculpture depicts a human figure (Pomtam) with a cylindrical, phallic-shaped body; the side view reveals a rhythmic sequence of parallel blocks supporting the imposing head, whose reliefs and carvings, defining classical features, echo the oblique rhythms of the body. The work is cited in Ezio Bassani (ed.), Arte dell’Africa Nera, Skira, Florence–Milan, 2000. The work is part of the Bassani Collection and is housed at MUDEC – Museum of Cultures, Milan (inv. AFR 00020 2513A).

Photo: Paolo Vandrasch, Milano; Giuliano Spagnul, Milano; Vivi Papi, Varese.

Courtesy MUDEC.