Standing male figure "blolo bian" oder "asie usu"
Côte d'Ivoire, Baule
not available anymore
Provenance
bought from an ex Peace Corps officer in 1974Stacy Collection, Washington D.C., USA (1975), American diplomate, who served in Africa in the 1960’s and 1970’s
Size
H: 45 cm
H: 17.7 inch
Description
wood, reddish brown patina with remains of black paint, long and slender legs, the upper part of the body with closed contours, a long neck supporting a rather large head which is widely projecting to the front, raised scarification marks on face and neck, cross-shaped tattoos on the cheeks, slightly dam. (nose tip, mouth), cracks, minor missing part (base), abrasion of paint;
either representing a “blolo bian” figure (= male partner from the other world") or an “asie usu” figure (= bush spirit). Bush spirits are displayed between the fortune teller and the client during a public performance. But unless collected in situ, the actual function of a figure cannot reliably be determined.