Baule, asi usu male statuette, Ivory Coast - Lot 18

Baule, asi usu male statuette, Ivory Coast Wood with worn patina, traces of sacrificial anointing Height: 48 cm Provenance: Loudmer sale Loudmer sale, December 5, 1992, lot n° 75 French private collection --- Baoule Male figure,asi usu, Ivory Coast Wood with patina, traces of sacrificial anointing Height: 48 cm Provenance: Loudmer sale, December 5, 1992, lot no. 75 French private collection In order to appease the often indomitable and mischievous temperament of the bush spirits, statuettes, whose remarkable beauty activates their effectiveness, are fashioned. The Komyen diviner-healers, having acquired their status through possession by these genies, communicate with these higher forces during divination sessions. Carved in the image of Man, asie usu statuettes constitute a tangible link between the terrestrial world and celestial entities. As receptacles for these tormented spirits, they must, like our effigy, assume the highest aesthetic and moral qualities, with archetypal features expressing beauty, wealth and power. The male figure is shown standing in a conventional pose. The features of his long face are particularly well defined. The fine bridge of the nose is linked to beautifully arched superciliary arches in relief. The hairstyle, with a series of braids following the shape of the skull, is strikingly realistic, yet also reflects the prestige of the personage. A crusty sacrificial patina covers the effigy. Behind the apparent beauty of these statuettes lies a masked and tamed ugliness, in keeping with the principle of balanced duality governing the Baule universe, and it is in this ambivalence that the fascination exerted by the sculptures from asie usu ultimately lies. --- In order to appease the often indomitable and mischievous temperament of the spirits of the bush, statuettes, whose remarkable beauty activates efficiency, are shaped. The Komyen fortune-tellers, having acquired their status by being possessed by these geniuses, communicate with these higher forces during divination sessions. Sculpted in the image of Men, the asia usu statuettes constitute a tangible link between the earthly world and celestial entities. As receptacles to these tormented spirits, they must, like our effigy, wear the highest aesthetic and moral qualities, under archetypal features expressing beauty, wealth and power. The male character is depicted standing, in a conventional pose. The long lines of the face are particularly neat. The fine nasal ridge, connected to beautiful arched brow arches in relief. The hairstyle featuring a series of braids that conform to the shape of the skull, in a saissisant realism while testifying to the prestige of the embodied character. Crusty sacrificial patina covering the effigy. Behind the apparent beauty of these statuettes hides a hidden and tamed ugliness, responding to the principle of balanced duality governing the Baoulé universe, and it is finally in this ambivalence that lies the fascination exercised by sculptures from asia usu. Large vertical crack on the back; unctional patina and residue. ---- Large vertical crack present at the back; onyx patina and residue.