Hunter man and dancing woman pair / dancing couple — Baoulé, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 131

Description

This pair of sculptures, in ivory or horn, represents a hunter and a dancer from the Baoulé artistic tradition of Côte d’Ivoire. The Baoulé, one of the Akan peoples, are renowned for their fine and expressive sculptures depicting symbolic figures linked to social and spiritual life. Here, the hunter, with his alert posture and weapons, embodies strength and protection, essential roles in traditional societies, while the dancer, with her graceful posture, symbolises beauty, fertility and social balance, central values for the Baoulé.
The geometric motifs engraved along the curves of the pieces reveal meticulous engraving work, characteristic of the Baoulé, who pay particular attention to decorative detail. The two sculptures meet at the top in a posture evoking unity and harmony between man and woman, a theme often celebrated in Baoulé works. The wooden bases add a natural aspect that highlights the warm tone and patina of the main material, accentuating the age and nobility of these sculptures.
The use of ivory or horn gives this ensemble a prestigious status, since these materials were reserved for elites or important ceremonies, symbolising wealth and power in Baoulé culture. The Baoulé saw in these sculptures representations of protective and spiritual figures, bearing witness to their craftsmanship and cosmological vision.

Technical details

Availability

Unavailable

Type of piece

Statuette

Category

Statues

Ethnic group

Baoulé

Country

Côte d’Ivoire

Materials

Ivoir eou Corne

Dimensions

H 42 × W 4 × D 3 cm

Weight

0,9 kg

Estimated dating

second half 20th c.

Laboratory test

Not tested

Reference

131