Statue(s) - Wood - Baoulé - Ivory Coast

Gbekre monkey figure of the Baule people possibly for Aboya or Mbra. Monkey figures share stylistic features with the men's sacred masks and have some of the same qualities of secrecy and danger to women. They combine human and animal traits in such a way that it is nearly impossible to separate the and they have the prominent teeth and boxy muzzle typical of the masks. Both also receive sacrificial offerings directly on the wood sculpture and are associated with the bush. Mbra monkeys for example are kept in the village, but "fed"with sacrifices in the bush. (Vogel: African Art in Western Eyes) . This is an extremely old statue with a layor of offerings all over the body. There are some cracks and both arms have an original repair. This male Baule has old corroded metal rings on the feet and in the nose. A piece of cloth coveres the pubic area. It came from the collection of Eric Erdmann - France. The piece was collected in situ by his father around 1960. Now since a long time in my private collection. A marvelous piece of authentic old art.