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HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
African Sculptures : Chadian Brass Janiform Sculpture
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Chadian Brass Janiform Sculpture - PF.6287
Origin: Chad
Circa: 19
th
Century AD
to 20
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
3.875" (9.8cm) high
Collection: African
Style: Chadian
Medium: Brass
£5,000.00
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
This charming bronze sculpture depicts a
standing figure with both male and female
characteristics. Called janiform, the work
actually appears to be a male and female
individual who have been fused together at their
backs. Certain creation myths detail the first
humans, who were created in the form of a man
and woman joined at the shoulders and
separated by the axe of god. This sculpture
seems to replicate such an idea, although its
relation to this myth is pure speculation. The
body features wide, flat feet that make both
sides appear to be front views. Decorative
jewelry depicted as a series of ringed bands
decorate the arms and legs. This same motif is
repeated over the torso and head of the figure,
which may be indicative of ritual scarification.
The female half has long, narrow breasts that fall
over her chest. The male has two flat bumps for
his nipples, these bumps are also used to
represent the navels on both halves. Their
figure’s faces are represented identically, with
coffee-bean eyes, a broad trapezoidal nose, and
a slightly open mouth. Janiform sculptures are
produced by many different tribes across the
African continent. They are important both for
their symbolism as well as their unique aesthetic
beauty. This work comes from the crossroads of
Chad, where Islamic traders from Northern Africa
influenced the arts and culture of the native
animist tribes of Sub-Sahara Africa.
- (PF.6287)
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