Bété Statue, Gagnoa Region, Ivory Coast, wood with a dark patina; central forest region of Ivory Coast, Gagnoa Region. This female figure belongs to the Bété sculptural tradition of the central-western Ivory Coast. Bété art is characterized by a distinctive combination of expressive sculpting and complex ornamental forms that serve not only decorative purposes but also visualize social identity, spiritual power, and notions of physical perfection. The region around Gagnoa represents an important cultural space within Bété societies. The figure stands upright, confronting the viewer with a calm, focused presence. Her half-closed eyes gaze forward, lending her face an expression of inner repose. A high forehead and exceptionally long neck emphasize the verticality of the composition and give the sculpture remarkable elegance. Her arms hang loosely at her sides, with her palms facing forward, suggesting a gesture of openness or ritual availability. Of particular note is the rich ornamental decoration of the entire body. Between the eyebrows and on the cheeks, groups of three bumps appear, reminiscent of traditional scarification techniques. The neck is adorned with a central diamond, framed by braided bands, which extends across the chest. Below the breasts, another large-scale diamond pattern unfolds, while checkerboard-like decorations structure the shoulders and thighs. These meticulously executed patterns lend the figure an extraordinary visual density. Break-off points on the back of the head and left foot, as well as cracks and abrasion marks, document the age and use of the work and underscore its historical authenticity. Literature (Selection) Eberhard Fischer: African Art from the Ivory Coast. Zurich 1980. Susan Vogel: Africa: The Art of a Continent. Munich/New York 1995. Herbert M. Cole: Icons: Ideals and Power in the Art of Africa. Washington 1989. Christopher D. Roy: Traditional Art of Africa. Upper Saddle River 1999. Jacques Kerchache among others: L’Art Africain. Paris 1988.