Standing female figure
Côte d'Ivoire, Guro
sold
EUR 1,800
Provenance
Gerbrand Luttik, Soest, The Netherlands (1980s)Bert Garrebeek, Brussels, Belgium (2003)
Werner Zintl, Worms, Germany
Size
H: 35 cm
H: 13.8 inch
Description
wood, dyed red, black colour accents, base
Figures of the Guro are called “mi iri nä” - “small wooden person”. According to Fischer, they belong to the cult objects called “zu” or “zuzu”, which were placed at shrines bearing the same name.
“Zu” are invisible spirit beings who are able to protect the house and its inhabitants from evil forces and impending dangers. The small wooden figures are mediators between the “zu” and the humans.
Publications
BRUNEAF, Nocturnes D'Hiver II, 2003AHDRC: 0058375