May 24, 2011
May 24, 2011
May 24, 2011
May 25, 2011
May 25, 2011
May 24, 2011

Male Figure

Male Figure

late 1800s-early 1900s

Wood, cloth, organic material, and copper alloy

Overall: 23.5 x 7.5 x 8 cm (9 1/4 x 2 15/16 x 3 1/8 in.); without base: 23.3 cm (9 3/16 in.)

René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 2010.431

Location

Did you know?

This figure was the Delennes' first African art acquisition; it symbolized Rene and Odette’s first meeting.

Description

This figure was the Delennes' first African art acquisition. They purchased the work in Paris in 1958—the year they were married—from the then leading French dealer Henri Kamer. The couple's interest in African art, which also inspired this particular acquisition, was triggered by their visit to the Congolese pavilion at the Brussels world's fair that same year. This experience made a lasting impression and triggered a lifelong appreciation for the art of what was then still the Belgian Congo. Although Odette later admitted that she knew that this figure was not the best example of Teke art, she and her husband held on to it because it served as a personal souvenir of their meeting each other.

See also

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