Figure féminine debout "zu" / "zuzu" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Guro · ID: 3047931

Description

wood, kaolin, glass beads, base

Figures of the Guro are not meant as portraits, neither do they depict an individual, nor a deceased or an invisible partner from the other world, as is the case with Baule “blolo” figures. They have nothing to do with the veneration of ancestors.

Rather, the figures are purchased on the advice of a diviner. They 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.

“Zuzu” 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 “zuzu” and the humans. In return, small pots of freshly cooked food have to be provided regularly to keep them well-disposed.

L’objet Figure féminine debout “zu” / “zuzu” avec l’ID d’objet 3047931 a fait partie de la dernière vente aux enchères 96e Vente aux enchères dans 24 avril 2021 le Zemanek-Münster Hôtel des ventes. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 188 a atteint un prix de vente de 7 500 €.

Vous trouverez d’autres Figures et autres types d’objets populaires sur nos pages thématiques associées. Notre page sur le thème Art africain pourrait également vous intéresser.

Littérature comparée

Homberger, Lorenz, Fischer, Eberhard, Die Kunst der Guro, Elfenbeinküste, Zürich 1985, p. 227 f.

Publications

Fischer, Eberhard. & Homberger, Lorenz, "Die Kunst der Guro, Elfenbeinküste", Zürich, Museum Rietberg 1985, p. 233, fig.138

AHDRC: 0058431

Exposition

Zurich, Switzerland: "Die Kunst der Guro, Elfenbeinküste", Museum Rietberg, 11 May-13 October 1985