Sculpture - Wood - Baule - Ivory Coast
A Baule monkey, called "Gbekre", standing on a rectangular, rounded base with bent muscular legs, the cylinfrical torso with arms in a position like holding a ritual object to the front, the simian head with a broad snout and baring teeth, encrusted greyish to brown patina. "Related animal figures are used for many different cults among the Baule. In some cases, the figures are secret and for example, women are forbidden to see them, while in cults the sculptures are openly shown. The cupped hands at the front of the figure are for offerings and the encrustration on the figure attests to years of libations". Vogel 1997: 235.
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A Baule monkey, called "Gbekre", standing on a rectangular, rounded base with bent muscular legs, the cylinfrical torso with arms in a position like holding a ritual object to the front, the simian head with a broad snout and baring teeth, encrusted greyish to brown patina. "Related animal figures are used for many different cults among the Baule. In some cases, the figures are secret and for example, women are forbidden to see them, while in cults the sculptures are openly shown. The cupped hands at the front of the figure are for offerings and the encrustration on the figure attests to years of libations". Vogel 1997: 235.