Baule, Ivory Coast: An old ape figure made of ivory, depicting the tutelary god ‘Gbekre’.
Baule, Ivory Coast: An old ape figure made of ivory, depicting the tutelary god ‘Gbekre’.
An ape in a crouching position, holding a pestle (sometimes also a bowl), represents the tutelary god ‘Gbekre’ among the Baule. It protects against witchcraft and offers help in soothsaying as well as in the daily life of farmers. These ‘Gbekre figures’ are normally made of wood and of a larger size. They are mostly covered in thick, encrusted sacrificial patina. The present, small ‘Gbekre tutelary figure’ is made of ivory (very rare!), which has darkened to reddish brown as a result of age. With noticeable traces of intense sacrificial offerings. Minor age-related damage to the right side (old fracture, tears). Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century; H: 12.5 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection. ASA
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 4,000.- to EUR 5,000.-
Baule, Ivory Coast: An old ape figure made of ivory, depicting the tutelary god ‘Gbekre’.
An ape in a crouching position, holding a pestle (sometimes also a bowl), represents the tutelary god ‘Gbekre’ among the Baule. It protects against witchcraft and offers help in soothsaying as well as in the daily life of farmers. These ‘Gbekre figures’ are normally made of wood and of a larger size. They are mostly covered in thick, encrusted sacrificial patina. The present, small ‘Gbekre tutelary figure’ is made of ivory (very rare!), which has darkened to reddish brown as a result of age. With noticeable traces of intense sacrificial offerings. Minor age-related damage to the right side (old fracture, tears). Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century; H: 12.5 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection. ASA
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |