Dan's Ancestor Statue - Côte d'Ivoire
06
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21
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€ 1
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 220 - € 250
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Description from the seller
Origin. Côte d'Ivoire
Tribe name. Dan
Material. Wood
Dimension. 47 cm
Shipping mode. Colissimo within 24-48h open.
This decorative sculpture is a magnificent piece representative of the Dan art (also called Yacouba), a people living mainly in western Côte d'Ivoire, as well as in Liberia and Guinea.
This statuette presents the classic, refined aesthetic codes that make the Dan sculptors renowned.
The Face (Ideal of beauty):
The eyes: They are the most distinctive feature. They are carved in an almond shape, with half-closed or “slitted” eyelids, giving an impression of serenity and restraint. It is the traditional beauty canon among the Dan.
The forehead and features: The forehead is often wide and unobstructed, with an elaborate hairstyle. The nose is fine, and the mouth, though prominent, is worked with great delicacy.
On the torso and legs there are incised motifs, often in the form of chevrons or stripes ("herringbone"). Among the Dan, these scarifications are not merely decorative; they often indicate social status, group affiliation, or are a mark of aesthetic refinement.
The figure is standing, often in a hieratic stance, arms along the body or resting on the belly (sometimes to signify fertility or protection).
Dan sculptures, just like their famous masks, are not mere decorative objects. They fulfill precise functions:
These statues often represented honored persons or served as prestige objects within chiefdoms. They testified to the power and wealth of the holder.
Idealized representations: Unlike some African traditions that seek pure naturalism, Dan art seeks to depict an ideal of beauty. The sculpture is a way of fixing this ideal in wood.
Origin. Côte d'Ivoire
Tribe name. Dan
Material. Wood
Dimension. 47 cm
Shipping mode. Colissimo within 24-48h open.
This decorative sculpture is a magnificent piece representative of the Dan art (also called Yacouba), a people living mainly in western Côte d'Ivoire, as well as in Liberia and Guinea.
This statuette presents the classic, refined aesthetic codes that make the Dan sculptors renowned.
The Face (Ideal of beauty):
The eyes: They are the most distinctive feature. They are carved in an almond shape, with half-closed or “slitted” eyelids, giving an impression of serenity and restraint. It is the traditional beauty canon among the Dan.
The forehead and features: The forehead is often wide and unobstructed, with an elaborate hairstyle. The nose is fine, and the mouth, though prominent, is worked with great delicacy.
On the torso and legs there are incised motifs, often in the form of chevrons or stripes ("herringbone"). Among the Dan, these scarifications are not merely decorative; they often indicate social status, group affiliation, or are a mark of aesthetic refinement.
The figure is standing, often in a hieratic stance, arms along the body or resting on the belly (sometimes to signify fertility or protection).
Dan sculptures, just like their famous masks, are not mere decorative objects. They fulfill precise functions:
These statues often represented honored persons or served as prestige objects within chiefdoms. They testified to the power and wealth of the holder.
Idealized representations: Unlike some African traditions that seek pure naturalism, Dan art seeks to depict an ideal of beauty. The sculpture is a way of fixing this ideal in wood.
Details
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Dan's Ancestor Statue
Height
47 cm
Sold by
