Large seated statuette - Lot 10

Large seated statuette Baule culture, Ivory Coast Wood with beautiful patina, trade nails H. 51 cm Provenance: Gaston de Havenon Collection, New York City - Gaston de Havenon Collection (1904-1993), New York City - Cazeau Collection, Paris Publications and exhibitions: - The de Havenon Collection, by Robbins (Warren M.), Washington, D.C.: Museum of African Art, 1971, no. 105 - African Art: The de Havenon Collection, Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C., USA 30 May-3 October 1971 - De Quay-Lombrail, Paris, Collection Gaston de Havenon, Drouot-Montaigne, 30 June 1994, no. 18. Among the Baule people of central Côte d'Ivoire, there are two types of anthropomorphic statuette, depending on whether their use is personal - blolo bla and blolo bian - or communal - asie usu. The tall stature of this figure seated on a ceremonial seat embellished with copper nails, his hieratic attitude, the impression of quiet strength that emanates from his impeccably upright torso, firmly supported by his outstretched arms, hands resting on his knees, and the serenity expressed by his perfectly oval face, place him in the second category. His role as intermediary between humans and the sometimes malevolent spirits of the beyond requires him to present himself in the best possible light in order to win over the latter. The attention paid to the carefully arranged hairstyle, completed with a long braid, to the body ornaments marking the chest and back, to the harmoniously emphasized shoulder blades, all contribute to achieving the required perfection. The holes pierced under the chin indicate the ancient presence of a plant-fibre beard identical to that adorning the statue in the Vlaminck collection or the spectacular seated asie usu belonging to the Baron Gourgaud museum on the island of Aix. Bertrand Goy