Rare ritual drum - Guéré / Wé - Côte d'Ivoire
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Guéré
Wood
Height: 380mm
Width: 300mm
Depth: 230mm
This monoxylous drum carved from wood, 38 cm tall, is an exceptional ritual and shamanic instrument from the western Ivory Coast.
Through the expressionist power of its reliefs, its complex architecture, and its highly textured sacrificial patina, it is a sacred drum originating from the Guéré (Wè) or Dan ethnicity. These instruments do not belong to secular orchestration or mere village entertainment; they are the physical voices of secret religious institutions and of confraternities of warriors or diviners.
1. Morphological and iconographic decoding
Visual analysis reveals a profusion of carved motifs in the round, arranged circularly on two levels:
The upper crown of masks and attributes: All around the resonating shell (under the stretched skin membrane secured by cords and pegs), the sculptor has brought forth monumental anthropomorphic faces. One can discern figures echoing the canons of Guéré masks, with prominent foreheads and strong stylized features. Between these faces interleave high-relief motifs evoking sacred vessels or animal heads.
The pedestal and lower reliefs: The base of the drum rests on several sturdy feet bound together. The instrument’s lower body is adorned with three-dimensional animal figures, notably crocodiles (or lizards) sculpted vertically, as well as smaller anthropomorphic heads in profile.
The crusty sacrificial patina: The surface of the object is completely covered with a dark, grainy, thick, and matte material. Like the divination statues (Gbekre), this patina results from decades of ritual applications: blood of sacrificed animals, palm wine, chewed kola, and bush powders thrown onto the wood to “nourish” the spirit.
2. Ritual use: The voice of secret societies
In the forest region of western Ivory Coast, a ritual drum of this nature serves several major functions:
Invoking the spirits of the bush: This drum is used during secret ceremonies to accompany the withdrawal of justice or war masks (the Guéré masks). The deep vibrations it emits are not considered music but the cryptic and formidable language of powers beyond.
The instrument of the diviner or healer: During divination sessions or collective healing ceremonies intended to counter an epidemic or a spell, the cadenced rhythm of this drum allows the priest or diviner to enter into a trance to communicate with the ancestors and detect the metaphysical origin of the village’s ills.
The guardian of the sanctuary: Outside ceremonial periods, the instrument is never left in plain sight. It is kept in the sacred hut or clan sanctuary, serving as a full-fledged altar where libations continue.
3. Cosmological significance
The crocodile, a liminal symbol: The presence of the crocodile on the lower shaft is highly symbolic. An amphibious animal par excellence, the crocodile lives between water (the invisible world, the realm of spirits and ancestors) and earth (the world of the living). It embodies power, the protection of territory, and serves as a mystical ferryman between worlds.
The cohesion and justice of the clan: The multiple carved heads facing each other all around the drum’s body materialize the council of elders, the constant vigilance of the community and of the ancestors over the living. Striking this drum is to summon the testimony of the entire lineage to validate a justice decision, a pact, or an initiation.
The packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday with insurance and a tracking number.
Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.
We speak english
Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateIvory Coast
Guéré
Wood
Height: 380mm
Width: 300mm
Depth: 230mm
This monoxylous drum carved from wood, 38 cm tall, is an exceptional ritual and shamanic instrument from the western Ivory Coast.
Through the expressionist power of its reliefs, its complex architecture, and its highly textured sacrificial patina, it is a sacred drum originating from the Guéré (Wè) or Dan ethnicity. These instruments do not belong to secular orchestration or mere village entertainment; they are the physical voices of secret religious institutions and of confraternities of warriors or diviners.
1. Morphological and iconographic decoding
Visual analysis reveals a profusion of carved motifs in the round, arranged circularly on two levels:
The upper crown of masks and attributes: All around the resonating shell (under the stretched skin membrane secured by cords and pegs), the sculptor has brought forth monumental anthropomorphic faces. One can discern figures echoing the canons of Guéré masks, with prominent foreheads and strong stylized features. Between these faces interleave high-relief motifs evoking sacred vessels or animal heads.
The pedestal and lower reliefs: The base of the drum rests on several sturdy feet bound together. The instrument’s lower body is adorned with three-dimensional animal figures, notably crocodiles (or lizards) sculpted vertically, as well as smaller anthropomorphic heads in profile.
The crusty sacrificial patina: The surface of the object is completely covered with a dark, grainy, thick, and matte material. Like the divination statues (Gbekre), this patina results from decades of ritual applications: blood of sacrificed animals, palm wine, chewed kola, and bush powders thrown onto the wood to “nourish” the spirit.
2. Ritual use: The voice of secret societies
In the forest region of western Ivory Coast, a ritual drum of this nature serves several major functions:
Invoking the spirits of the bush: This drum is used during secret ceremonies to accompany the withdrawal of justice or war masks (the Guéré masks). The deep vibrations it emits are not considered music but the cryptic and formidable language of powers beyond.
The instrument of the diviner or healer: During divination sessions or collective healing ceremonies intended to counter an epidemic or a spell, the cadenced rhythm of this drum allows the priest or diviner to enter into a trance to communicate with the ancestors and detect the metaphysical origin of the village’s ills.
The guardian of the sanctuary: Outside ceremonial periods, the instrument is never left in plain sight. It is kept in the sacred hut or clan sanctuary, serving as a full-fledged altar where libations continue.
3. Cosmological significance
The crocodile, a liminal symbol: The presence of the crocodile on the lower shaft is highly symbolic. An amphibious animal par excellence, the crocodile lives between water (the invisible world, the realm of spirits and ancestors) and earth (the world of the living). It embodies power, the protection of territory, and serves as a mystical ferryman between worlds.
The cohesion and justice of the clan: The multiple carved heads facing each other all around the drum’s body materialize the council of elders, the constant vigilance of the community and of the ancestors over the living. Striking this drum is to summon the testimony of the entire lineage to validate a justice decision, a pact, or an initiation.
The packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday with insurance and a tracking number.
Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.
We speak english
Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
Rare ritual drum
Ethnic group/ culture
Guéré / Wé
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood / fabrics / leather / cords / nails
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
