Cameroon Grassfields region.
Face of man surmounted by male and female monkey figures in headdress.  Lost-wax cast bronze w/ mineral & organic patina (14 1/2” h. x 7 1/2” w. x 3 1/2” d.)

Ex. collection of Jonathan W. Fisher
ex. collection of Ralph Fisher
Purchased from Charles D. Miller III Gallery, New Haven. Ct., 1976.  

José Garcia Montebravo (Cienfuegos, Cuba),
Acrylic, ink and colored pencil on paper
(19 1/2" x 25 1/2"), 2008  framed.

Collection of Jonathan Fisher,
Ex. Indigo Arts Gallery, 2009
Acquired from artist in 2008.

Ivory Coast (Orodugu Baule region)
Wood (12 1/4” h. x 8 1/2” w. x 4 1/2” d.)

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher
ex. collection of Ralph Fisher
ex. Indigo Arts Gallery

Poro secret society, Liberia
Wood with glass tube eyes, steel nail in forehead (9" h. x 5 1/4” w. 3 1/2” d.)

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher
ex. Charles D. Miler III, 1976.

Grassfields region, Cameroon (probably Bamum people), mid-20th century.
Wood w/ organic patina (13" h. x 9" w. x 6 3/4" d.).

Ex. collection of Jonathan W. Fisher
Purchased in Cameroon, c. 1970. 

Oil on Canvas (18" x 24"), c. 1970.
Framed
Ex. collection of Jonathan W. Fisher

Nepal,  early 20th cent.
Wood mask with pigment, animal hair.
(11 1/2 h. x 7 1/2” w.  x 3” d)

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher
ex. Nusantara gallery

Angola
Wood w/ mineral & organic pigments (10” h. x 7” w. x 5” d.)

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher
ex. collection of Ralph Fisher
Purchased from Herbert F. Rieser gallery, London, 11/3/1965.  

Chihongo represents a male spirit and refers to wealth and power. This mask would have only have been worn by a high-ranking member of society or his sons during festivities, especially during the proceedings of the mukanda, or male initiation. Chihongo is a royal character, and the exuberant arched headpiece with feathers that would have originally have been attached to the mask referenced a type worn by high chiefs. The disk-shaped element protruding from the chin recalls the beard worn by chiefs. Symbolizing the male principles of power, social status, accomplishment, and strength, Chihongo complements Mwana Pwo, or Pwewo, the model for female beauty. (Yale University Art Gallery).

"Negrito Colmilludo" (tusked little black one) mask.  
Artist Unknown.  Probably Coastal Mixtec, Guerrero or Oaxaca, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint.
(7 1/2" h. x 7” w. x 4” d.)
Tag on back says "Zorroros"

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher

Yoruba people, Nigeria
wood w/ organic patina (18" h. x 8 1/4" w. x 8" d.)

Ex. collection of Jonathan W. Fisher
Purchased c. 1970s. 

Nepal,  early 20th cent.
Wood mask with pigment, animal hair.
(12 3/4" h. x 7 3/8” w.  x 3 1/2” d.)

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher
ex. Nusantara gallery

Liberia, mid-20th century
Wood with cam wood pigment, animal teeth (10 3/4" h. x 7” w. x 4 1/4” d.)

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher,
ex. collection of Ralph Fisher
ex. Charles D. Miler III, 1976

c.1997
Oil, wax and mixed media on canvas (11" x 20").

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher,
purchased from artist 2000.

Early-20th century.
Wood with organic & mineral pigments, glass beads.
(11 1/2" x 3 1/2” x 3 1/4”)

Ex. Jonathan Fisher collection.  Purchased in Nigeria, 1970.

The Yoruba have the highest incidence of twinning in the world. Because twins tend to have a low birth weight, they have a high infant mortality rate. In Yoruba belief deceased twins may try to lure their living twins to the world of the dead. To appease them, carved figured of the dead rendered in adult form were cared for like real children. They were washed, fed, and dressed with beads and taken out to be danced on public occasions. Treated with respect, they bring good fortune to their families: mistreated, they may cause poverty, illness, and even death.  (Yale University Art Gallery)

Bwami mask, Lega people, D. R. Congo
wood w/ kaolin, mineral pigments, vegetable fiber (8 3/4” x 5” x 2 1/2”).

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher
ex. collection of Ralph Fisher
ex. Indigo Arts Gallery