Labret Kayapó Attributed To Raoni

Collection Jean-Pierre Dutilleux

Labret kayapó (Mebêngôkre) in carved and patinated wood, of flattened lenticular form, presenting a large circular disk associated with a dorsal part designed to hold in the lower lip.

The piece is distinguished by its formal sobriety and the power of its sculptural presence. The surface reveals an ancient patina consistent with prolonged use, as well as slight irregularities and traces of age consistent with field objects collected during the XXᵉ century.

Large labrets of this type were worn by certain high-ranking men within Kayapó groups, notably chiefs and authority figures. Beyond their bodily function, they constituted genuine identity and symbolic markers.

PROVENANCE

Former Jean-Pierre Dutilleux collection.

According to the information transmitted with the object and the archives associated with this set, this labret is attributed to the Kayapó chief Raoni Metuktire.

The object is accompanied by a certificate as well as a photograph showing its presentation in a public exhibition context in Malmedy (Malmundarium) in 2019

HISTORICAL AND ETHNOGRAPHICAL INTEREST

Raoni Metuktire remains one of the most emblematic figures defending the indigenous peoples of Amazonia. His image, widely disseminated through the photographs, films and expeditions of Jean-Pierre Dutilleux, today belongs to the global visual history of indigenous peoples.

Objects directly associated with Raoni or from the immediate entourage of the great Dutilleux expeditions remain extremely rare on the ethnographic art market.

By its provenance and iconic character, this piece goes beyond the simple framework of the tribal object to join that of historical and anthropological testimony.