Zoomorphic figure "gbekre" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Baule · ID: 3035929

Description

wood, matt brown patina, encrusted in some areas, instead of the usual bowl holding a narrow board-shaped object in front of the body, old collection label backside (faded), slightly dam. (hands, ear), traces of insect caused damage, cracks (partly spread with mass), rep. (right wrist, object), sacrificial traces, base;
“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 with a thick layer of encrusted blackish patina. They fulfill various tasks - serve for protection of the family or were used for soothsaying - which is why their original function cannot clearly be determined if once they have left their place of origin.