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Finial for Champion Cultivator Staff

Finial for Champion Cultivator Staff

Unknown

This sculpture surmounted a trophy staff given to the young man who won the annual hoeing competition and earned the title “champion cultivator.” The seated female suggests another possible prize—the ideal future bride. Her full breasts and swollen belly symbolize fertility as well as abundant harvests.
Artist
Unknown (Ivorian, Senufo People)
Title
Finial for Champion Cultivator Staff
Date
early 20th century
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
10 5/8 x 3 1/8 x 4 in. overall
Credit
Gift of Lester Wunderman
Accession No.
62.3.10
Classification
Sculpture
Geography
Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)

Related

Acquired by Lester Wunderman (New York, NY) between January 1957 [1] and May 1962 (when he made contact with UW–Madison staff about the collection) from an as-yet unknown European source; July 1962, given by Lester Wunderman to the University of Wisconsin–Madison; 1967, transferred to UW–Madison’s Elvehjem Art Center (now called the Chazen Museum of Art). [Last researched by Chazen staff 4/28/2023] [1] when he first began collecting African art, according to the preface of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s catalogue "Art of the Dogon: Selections from the Lester Wunderman Collection"

  • Exhibition gallery guide, "Revealing Forms: African Art from the Elvehjem Collection." 2002.
  • Drewal, Henry John. "African Art at the Elvehjem." Bulletin/Biennial Report 2001-2003. Elvehjem Museum of Art (2003): 16-36. pp. 16-36

  • Revealing Forms: African Art from the Collection: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 4/20/2002–6/16/2002
  • Negro Heritage: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 11/1/1968–6/11/1969

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