Statuette masculine "asie usu" ou "blolo bian" debout · Côte d'Ivoire, Baoulé · ID: 3041745
Walter Schmidt, Würzburg/Innsbruck, Germany/Austria
Description
wood, blackish brown shiny patina, encrusted in some areas, characterized by a strong body with big head and bulky coiffure, nevertheless fine worked, regarding even facial features, well-formed body with symmetrical limbs and fine grooved coiffure, slightly dam., small place of repair (right ear), crack (base), metal plate;
for a work by the same artist see Himmelheber, 1934, p. 17, plate II.
Because of slight sacrificial traces possibly belonging to the figural type of “asie usu” figures. They are part of the normal equipment of “komien” (fortune-tellers), and assist them in their communication with helpful spirits. They are often displayed during sessions in which the diviner is possessed by a spirit and goes into trance. The statue must be visually appealing in order to entice a spirit to take up residence in it. Its elaborated coiffure and body scarifications symbolize a person of importance and dignity.
Publications
AHDRC: 0141954