Standing male ape figure "gbekre" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Baoulé · ID: 3036495

Description

wood, black and red patina, sacrificial traces, a compact and strong body, provided with a big teeth-revealing mouth, dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (base), cracks, slight traces of abrasion;
“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.

Littérature comparée

Boyer, Alain-Michel, Baule, Milan 2008, pl. 36