wood, middle brown patina, small remains of black and red paint, regular facial features, symmetrical arranged limbs, delicate carved hands and coiffure, rich scarifications on the back and on the nape, slightly dam., minor missing parts, cracks (right side of the head);
most Baule statuettes of seated male or female figures are connected with the "asie usu", the spirits of the bush, which are secondary divinities whose favor is gained through statuettes. The statuette is not meant to represent the "asie usu", a deformed and ungainly creature, but rather to pay it homage by means of an effigy which will charm it in all senses of the word, honor it, and coax it into contact with human beings.
H: 42 cm
Lit.: Barbier, Jean Paul (ed.), Art of Côte d' Ivoire, Vol II, Genf 1993, p. 129
Continent: Africa

See description