Baule drum stick, Ivory Coast - Lot 47

Baule drum stick, Ivory Coast Wood, black lacquer, patina of use, polychromy Height : 34,5 cm Provenance : Montlouis-sur Loire private collection French private collection --- Baguette de tambour Baoulé, Ivory Coast Wood, black lacquer, wear patina, polychrome Height: 34.5 cm Source: Private collection Montlouis-sur Loire French private collection Lawlé hammers, essential accessories for divination, are wielded by the Komien diviner during trance ceremonies to strike an iron gong, the vibration of which invokes the spirits of the asye usu bush. Various sculptural forms - amulets, rattles and fly swatters - accompany the diviner during these public sessions, where the staging combines dance, costumes and music. The end of this object is carved with a Janus head, evoking the Baule iconography of bonu amwin conjuring masks, associated with the cult of the Goli. These sacred masks, reserved exclusively for men, embody the power of the amwin, supernatural deities charged with protecting men against evil forces, in exchange for tributes and services rendered during masked ritual ceremonies. Belonging to the category of nocturnal mask-heaumes, bonu amwin are distinguished by their hybrid, zoomorphic nature. Their function is simultaneously apotropaic, religious and judicial. Arranged vertically on the handle, these miniature masks take on the characteristics of the large ritual masks: half-closed eyes, rounded forehead, half-open mouth with cut sides and skull surmounted by two curved buffalo horns. Sublimated by a deep black lacquer patina, the composition reveals all its elegance, enhanced by polychrome traces of red and ochre. The janiform appearance of the figure expresses a major divine power, conferring on this object a sacred protective role. Unlike simple, uncarved kokowa percuteurs, Lawlé hammers, like this example, are distinguished by an elaborate aesthetic and complex iconography, clearly testifying to the prestigious status of the diviner to whom this object belonged. The Lawlé hammers, essential tools of divination, are wielded by the Komien diviner during trance ceremonies to strike an iron gong, the vibration of which summons the spirits of the Asye Usu bush. Various sculptural forms - amulets, rattles, or fly whisks - accompany the diviner during these public sessions, where the performance combines dance, costumes, and music. The end of this object is carved with a Janus head, evoking the Baoulé iconography of the Bonu Amwin conjuring masks, associated with the Goli cult. These sacred masks, exclusively for men, embody the power of the Amwin, supernatural deities tasked with protecting humans from malevolent forces, in exchange for tributes and services during ritual masked ceremonies. Belonging to the category of nocturnal helmet-masks, the Bonu Amwin are distinguished by their hybrid and zoomorphic nature. Their function is simultaneously apotropaic, religious, and judicial. Positioned vertically on the handle, these miniature masks echo the characteristics of the larger ritual masks: half-closed eyes, a prominent forehead, an open mouth with slanted corners, and a skull adorned with two curved buffalo horns. Enriched by a deep black lacquered patina, the composition reveals its elegance, enhanced by polychrome traces of red and ochre. The Janus aspect of the figure would symbolize a major divine power, bestowing a sacred protective role on this object. Unlike the simple uncarved Kokowa beaters, the Lawlé hammers, such as the present example, stand out for their elaborate aesthetics and complex iconography, clearly attesting to the prestigious status of the diviner to whom this object belonged. Slight wear and tear on one of the two attachments. --- Wear and tear and slight gaps in one of the two fasteners.