Statue Deble - Sénoufo - Côte d'Ivoire

The Deblé statues are emblematic sculptures of Senufo art originating from Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Carved from dense woods such as iroko or kapok tree, these statues are distinguished by their slender silhouettes, their stylized features, and their hieratic posture. They typically represent ancestors, protective spirits, or figures connected with fertility and agriculture.

Les Deblé are characterized by an oval face, a long neck, narrow shoulders, and arms often pressed to the body or slightly apart. Their anatomical details are simplified, yet expressive: almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose, and a discreet mouth give them a sober and sacred appearance. Some statues bear ritual scars or geometric patterns, symbolizing belonging to a lineage or to an initiatory society.

Coated with a dark or reddish-brown patina, achieved by applying plant decoctions or natural pigments, these statues are often polished by use and libations. Their surface may bear traces of kaolin, palm oil, or sacrificial blood, testimonies to their role in rituals.

In the Senoufo tradition, Deblé statues are placed on family altars or in the fields, where they serve as intermediaries between the living and the ancestors. They are invoked to ensure the protection of the village, the fertility of the land, or the health of members of the community. Their manufacture, reserved for initiated sculptors, follows a strict protocol, respecting the spiritual and aesthetic rules of the group.

Today, these statues are also appreciated for their artistic value and deep symbolism, illustrating the balance between form, function, and spirituality in African art. Each Deblé remains an object of veneration, a bearer of memory and traditions.

Introduction to our expertise firm

Based in Belgium, our appraisal and sales house specializes in African and ethnographic art. A leading seller on Catawiki for over 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with a customer satisfaction rate close to 100%.

We regularly assist with liquidations, estates, and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is designed to be rigorous, transparent and accessible, with sales often offered without a reserve price.

Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.

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