Figure asiè usu Baoulé Ivory Coast H: 30 cm.... Lot 23

Figure asiè usu Baoulé Ivory Coast H: 30 cm. Wood, pigments Male statuette sitting on a stool in a hieratic pose. The hands hold a concave container tinted red. The face with fine features is composed of a raised eyebrow arch that joins the bridge of the nose. The eyes are lowered and the mouth closed. A transverse beard decorates the chin and ngole keloids adorn the temples. The figure is capped by an imposing sagittal crest with multiple braids tinged with red. Statues of seated men always represent the asiè usu. They are hideous geniuses who become merciful if they are honored, yet remain unpredictable. In order to absorb their power, they are made to reside temporarily in a work of art Antique Object, authentic Consultant : Jean-Pierre Lacoste