Dan's Ancestor Statue - Côte d'Ivoire
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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. Ivory Coast
Tribe name. Dan
Material. Wood
Dimension. 47 cm
Mode of shipment. Colissimo within 24-48h open.
This decorative sculpture is a magnificent piece representing Dan art (also called Yacouba), a people living mainly in the western Ivory Coast, as well as Liberia and Guinea.
This statuette presents the classic and refined aesthetic codes that give Dan sculptors their renown.
The Face (Ideal of beauty):
The eyes: They are the most distinctive feature. They are carved in almond shape, with half-closed or "slitted" eyelids, which convey a sense of serenity and restraint. It is the traditional beauty canon among the Dan.
The forehead and features: The forehead is often wide and clear, with an elaborate hairstyle. The nose is fine, and the mouth, though prominent, is crafted with great delicacy.
On the bust and legs one observes incised motifs, often in the shape of chevrons or stripes ("herringbone"). Among the Dan, these scarifications are not merely decorative; they often indicate social status, group belonging, or are a mark of aesthetic refinement.
The figure is standing, often in a hieratic stance, arms along the body or resting on the abdomen (sometimes to mark fertility or protection).
The Dan sculptures, just like their famous masks, are not mere decorative objects. They fulfill precise functions:
These statues often represented honored individuals 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 portray an ideal of beauty. The sculpture is a way to fix this ideal in wood.
Origin. Ivory Coast
Tribe name. Dan
Material. Wood
Dimension. 47 cm
Mode of shipment. Colissimo within 24-48h open.
This decorative sculpture is a magnificent piece representing Dan art (also called Yacouba), a people living mainly in the western Ivory Coast, as well as Liberia and Guinea.
This statuette presents the classic and refined aesthetic codes that give Dan sculptors their renown.
The Face (Ideal of beauty):
The eyes: They are the most distinctive feature. They are carved in almond shape, with half-closed or "slitted" eyelids, which convey a sense of serenity and restraint. It is the traditional beauty canon among the Dan.
The forehead and features: The forehead is often wide and clear, with an elaborate hairstyle. The nose is fine, and the mouth, though prominent, is crafted with great delicacy.
On the bust and legs one observes incised motifs, often in the shape of chevrons or stripes ("herringbone"). Among the Dan, these scarifications are not merely decorative; they often indicate social status, group belonging, or are a mark of aesthetic refinement.
The figure is standing, often in a hieratic stance, arms along the body or resting on the abdomen (sometimes to mark fertility or protection).
The Dan sculptures, just like their famous masks, are not mere decorative objects. They fulfill precise functions:
These statues often represented honored individuals 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 portray an ideal of beauty. The sculpture is a way to fix 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
