Standing male figure ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Bété · ID: 3041351

Description

wood, greyish black patina, encrusted black paint in some areas, remains of kaolin, fine carved facial features, slender body with broad shoulders and short but strong arms, the head covered with (remains of) brown fibre tufts inserted in drilled holes, deep central groove in the back filled with magical substances, slightly dam., cracks (forehead), rep. (breakage right shoulder/arm), acrylic base;
statuary carvings of the Bete are relatively rare and it is not known how the Bete used these statuettes. They may have been funerary effigies of the deceased for secondary burial ceremonies.