Pair of figures "asie usu" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Baule · ID: 3043106

Description

wood, brown patina, remains of pigments, slightly dam., cracks, missing parts through insect caused damage (male figure: right leg/base backside), base.
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.