Composite figures such as the present one are called ‘Gbekre’ and consist of an ape’s head on a human body. They are part of the ‘Mbra’ cult of the Baule against witchcraft and black magic. These figures are hidden inside the houses of trance priests in the Baule villages and are not allowed to be seen by women. On the occasion of ceremonies of the members of the ‘Mbra cult’, these ‘Gbekre’ are veiled and taken to the bush, where the blood of sacrificial animals (usually chicken), millet gruel etc. are sacrificed to them during trance rituals.
The present, rare ‘Gbekre sculpture’, made of hard, light-coloured wood, is visibly very old. It features a realistically crafted ape’s head with an iron hook at the crown, an open mouth and large fangs. This ‘Gbekre’ holds a sacrificial bowl in both hands against his chest. It stands with slightly angled legs on a round plinth carved out from the same piece. The relatively large and carefully crafted sculpture displays an old, thick, partly encrusted sacrificial patina with shiny areas, as a result of long, ritual use. With small, age-related damage (tears to the right arm and to the legs, a small hole to the back of the head and a minor loss to the right big toe). A remain of an earlier loincloth is still visible on the hips.
End 19th to early 20th century; H: 65 cm. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian Private Collection.
Lit.: 'Baule. African Art - Western Eyes' by Susan M. Vogel, fig. p. 235, 238; 'Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika' by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, fig. 65; 'African Art in American Coillections' by Robbins & Nooter, fig. 361–364.