Standing ape figure "gbekre" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Baule · ID: 3035365

Description

wood, encrusted dark brown patina, sacrificial traces, kaolin, a compact and strong body, provided with a big teeth-revealing mouth, a wooden dagger attached to his torso, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, socle;
“gbekre” figures belong to secret societies, village communities or individual families. They always look wild and aggressive. They are currently sacrificed with blood and eggs, which is why the whole figure is coated by a thick layer of encrusted blackish patina. They fulfill various tasks, serve for protection of the family or were used for soothsaying.

Comparing literature

Vogel, Susan Mullin, Baule, African Art - Western Eyes, New York 1997, p. 238