Mémoire d’Afrique — Ref. 44

Fetish bust — Dan / possibly Lobi, Kissi, Nalu or Piomdo, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 44

Photo 1 — Fetish bust — Dan / possibly Lobi, Kissi, Nalu or Piomdo, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 44
Photo 2 — Fetish bust — Dan / possibly Lobi, Kissi, Nalu or Piomdo, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 44
Photo 3 — Fetish bust — Dan / possibly Lobi, Kissi, Nalu or Piomdo, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 44
Photo 4 — Fetish bust — Dan / possibly Lobi, Kissi, Nalu or Piomdo, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 44
Photo 5 — Fetish bust — Dan / possibly Lobi, Kissi, Nalu or Piomdo, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 44
Photo 6 — Fetish bust — Dan / possibly Lobi, Kissi, Nalu or Piomdo, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 44
Photo 7 — Fetish bust — Dan / possibly Lobi, Kissi, Nalu or Piomdo, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 44
Photo 8 — Fetish bust — Dan / possibly Lobi, Kissi, Nalu or Piomdo, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 44
Photo 9 — Fetish bust — Dan / possibly Lobi, Kissi, Nalu or Piomdo, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 44
Photo 10 — Fetish bust — Dan / possibly Lobi, Kissi, Nalu or Piomdo, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 44
Photo 11 — Fetish bust — Dan / possibly Lobi, Kissi, Nalu or Piomdo, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 44
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Description

This bust is covered with textiles and decorated with cotton threads, cowries, a mirror and additional cowries, elements frequently used in African art and ritual practices. It represents a young woman with a small bell attached to the back of her hairstyle. The dark, glossy patina of the object suggests age or ritual use. The cowry decoration evokes fertility and material prosperity.

The Dan, also known as Yacouba, are a West African ethnic group mainly established in Côte d’Ivoire, and also present in Liberia. Their population is concentrated in the mountainous region of western Côte d’Ivoire, near towns such as Man, Danané, Biankouma and Toulepleu. They speak Dan, a language belonging to the Mande language family.

Technical details

Type of piece
Statue
Category
Ritual objects
Ethnic group
Dan
Country
Côte d’Ivoire
Materials
wood, textile, metal, miroir and cowries
Dimensions
H 56 × W 18 × D 17 cm
Weight
4,7 kg
Estimated dating
second half 20th c.
Laboratory test
Not tested
Reference
44