Standing ape figure "gbekre"
Côte d'Ivoire, Baoulé
Vendu
2 500 €
Provenance
Franco Monti, Milan, ItalyCarlo Grossetti, Milan, Italy
Alex Vömel, Düsseldorf, Germany
Taille
H: 51,5 cm
H: 20.3 inch
Description
light brown wood, encrusted brown patina, sacrificial traces, anthropomorphic facial features, dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (base, area of the hips), cracks, 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 by a thick layer of encrusted blackish patina. They fulfill various tasks, serve for protection of the family or were used for soothsaying.
Publications
AHDRC: 0139785