African Arts Gallery

This item of the famous African game Awalé (or mancala, or my kpon) presents here a cephalomorphic head with acute features. Twelve holes are laid out and two larger ones are dug at the ends. We played with nuclei, seeds, pebbles or shells. Its surface reveals the herminette strokes of the sculptor Bambara. Frequent manipulations have satin the honey patina of the sculpture. The previous owner chose to place it vertically on a pedestal. Acquired by Guy Mercier, consultant for the Solvay Group, who began to collect a vast collection of African tribal art at the beginning of the 20th century. While radiating in West and Central Africa as part of his work, and collecting in-situ works, the majority of his collection nevertheless comes from \