Ancestor figure - Sénoufo - Africa

Small Senoufo figurine, Tugubule
Nice patina and base on a transparent plexiglass, from an old collection
The name tugubele applies to both the spirits and the mediating statuettes.
They were used by Senoufo diviners, called Sando’o, to communicate with the spirits living in nature.
The artists creating the tugubele closely followed the instructions given to them by the diviner to whom certain details about the figure’s appearance, sex, posture, and scarification marks, etc., would have been conveyed directly by the spirit.
The diviners were often contacted by spirits while they slept in dream form.
Magnificent glossy black patina that bears witness to long ritual use.
Careful and prompt packaging delivered against signature
Very interesting collectible piece.