Couple of figures "asie usu" · Côte d'Ivoire, Baule · ID: 3035322
Description
wood, blotched greyish brown patina, encrusted in some areas, aside of gender-related attributes showing nearly identical formed bodies and faces, raised scarification marks, sacrificial traces, slightly dam., cracks, minor missing parts (base of the female figure), socle;
when a pair of figures is carved together, they cannot possibly represent spirit-spouses (which are always single pieces). They are inevitably spirits of nature, called “asie usu”, which are secondary divinities whose favour is gained through statuettes. Pairs like this belong to the property of a fortune teller who has to handle them with care in order to get their support. Like single figures of this kind, they are displayed between the fortune teller and the client during a public performance. They act as intermediaries between man and bush spirits. They may intervene in a person’s life to cause madness or to confer clairvoyance.