Statue(s) (1) - Wood - Ivory Coast - 1st half 20th century

BETE girl statue Throughout Africa, diviners are assisted in their practices by young girls or statues of girls, to facilitate contact with spirits. In the case of statues, they prepare meal offerings in these cases, in order to get the spirits in order. Indeed, young girls by their innocence and purity are more receptive to the messages of the hereafter. This statue is a superb illustration of this practice. The body is fine, racy and elegant, the neck extended, the breast small, the face expressing the trance, arms and hands open as a sign of welcome and availability. The rich scarifications, tinged with white are also to be compared with its medium function. Dark wood with satin highlights. Piece full of restraint, animated by a secret and interior life. Rare. Provenance : Private Belgian collection Certification on request Shipping : Insured, tracked and traced Pick up possible at our gallery in Brussels (Sablon)