A wooden sculpture - Losso - Togo (No reserve price)

Losso Sculpture - Northern Togo The upright male wooden figure derives its impact from the contrast between its slender torso and powerfully sculpted legs. Two voluminous, slightly bent legs stand on a round base; above them rises the narrow, almost column-like torso. The arms are asymmetrically rendered: one hangs long at the side, the other is bent and holds the hand to the chest. The spherical head displays highly simplified facial features. Particularly striking are the eyes, adorned with cowrie shells, which lend an intense expression to the otherwise restrained physiognomy. The gray-brown, matte surface, with its wear and deposits, emphasizes the archaic character. The Losso (Nawdba) people live in northern Togo, especially in the Niamtougou and Siou regions. Their sculpture is closely related to the neighboring Lamba tradition; a clear ethnic distinction based solely on stylistic features is often not possible. Statuary in Context: Different meanings have been handed down for comparable figures: They could represent material "dwelling places" of spiritual beings or the deceased; other works are associated with twins or protective deities. However, ethnographic documentation is limited, which is why the specific function of this figure should remain open without a confirmed provenance. Literature (Selection) Pierre Amrouche: Corps & Décors. Statuaire Lamba et Losso du Togo. Paris 2008. livre-rare-book.com Thomas Keller: Northern Togo Statuary. Lully 2018. Statuary in Context Hans Peter Hahn: Die Werkstoffe Kultur der Konkomba, Kabyè und Lamba in Nord-Togo. Köln 1996. Some of the information and photos are generated by artificial intelligence and is based on published sources from the fields of ethnography, archaeology, and art history documents. All information and photos are protected by copyright. Inv. No. MAZ29188

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