MANBI, MASK OF THE NOH THEATER

BY THE MASTER SCULPTOR DEME YOSHIMITSU (D. 1705)

His Burned Seal Applied To The Inner Side Japan

Wood (probably hinoki, Japanese cypress), pigments ; lacquer (on the inner side).

Height : 20,3 cm.

Estimated date : 17th century.

An acknowledged apprentice of the famous Echizen Deme mask carving guild, Deme Yoshimitsu not only learned his technique directly from Kogenkyū, the fourth head of the family of this house and one of the most famous grandmasters of the early part of the 17th century, he also married his daughter. The reason is not clear, but Yoshimitsu did not remain a member of this guild and went out on his own, establishing the House of Genri, which was the fourth and last sculptor’s guild of the Edo era. Literally meaning “ten thousand charms”, the name Manbi perfectly reflects the personality of this mask. Often compared with the more common character of Ko-omote, a beautiful young woman, sweet and naive, the young Manbi is however quite different : much more bewitching, she does not express an ounce of naivety to be fully in seduction.

Figure De Reliquaire Kota

VARIANTE OBAMBA OU WUNDU DE LA HAUTE VALLÉE DE L’OGOOUÉ ET DES CONTRÉES CONGOLAISES VOISINES GABON OU RÉPUBLIQUE DU CONGO

Bois sculpté ; plaques et lamelles en cuivre et laiton, fer. Hauteur : 35 cm.

Datation Estimée : 19e siècle.

HISTORIQUE DE COLLECTION TRANSMISE : Collection particulière, transmise par descendance.

EXPOSITION ET PUBLICATION :

Exposition inaugurale du Musée Dapper, Paris, Figures de reliquaire dites “Kota”, mai 1986-octobre 1986, La voie des ancêtres, publication de la Fondation Dapper par Falgayrettes et Paudrat, 1986, illustration n° 8.4 page 83.

Kota Reliquary Figure

OBAMBA OR WUNDU VARIANT FROM THE UPPER VALLEY OF THE OGOOUÉ AND THE NEIGHBORING CONGOLESE REGIONS

GABON OR REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Carved wood. copper and brass plates and strips, iron. Height: 35 cm.

Estimated date : 19 th century.

COLLECTION HISTORY REPORTED TO US : Private collection, and then by descent.

EXHIBITION AND PUBLICATION :

Inaugural exhibition of the Musée Dapper, Paris, Figures de reliquaire dites “Kota”, May 1986-October 1986, La voie des ancêtres, publication of the Dapper Foundation by Falgayrettes and Paudrat, 1986, illustration n° 8.4 page 83.