Initiation statue "déblé" - Côte d'Ivoire
06
days
16
hours
07
minutes
41
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 170 - € 200
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Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Senoufo / Senufo
Dense and hard wood
Height: 550 mm
Width: 145 mm
Depth: 125 mm
Weight: 2330 g
Ancient tribal repair on the left side of the crest.
This piece, 55 cm tall, actually belongs to the major category of rhythm statues called Deble (or Pombibele, literally "the children of Poro"), used during the ceremonies of the Poro secret society.
1. Stylistic Characteristics and Senoufo Iconography
The geometric, elongated aesthetic of the statue perfectly meets the criteria for the great mythical Senoufo ancestors:
The pestle or massive base: The statue rests on a heavy, thick, circular pedestal shaped like a pestle. It is the absolute hallmark of the Deble, designed specifically to be grasped by the arms and pounded on the ground.
The crown or summit disc: The large flat circular element above the head is an extreme stylization of certain ritual hairstyles or sacred divination trays, here adorned with geometric motifs (zigzag lines, cross) symbolizing the forces of creation and the crossroads of the world of the invisible.
The arms in chevrons and the volumes: The arms form rigid, massive right angles ending in simplified hands placed on the abdomen or hips. The face shows a gaunt profile, a jaw protruding forward (prognathism) and typical linear scarifications (temples, cheeks, abdomen).
2. Use within the Poro society
The Deble statue is one of the most sacred objects of the Senoufo initiation. It embodies the spirit of a primordial ancestor.
The hammering of the earth (Funerary rhythm): At the funerals of a dignitary of the Poro society, initiates proceed in a solemn procession. They hold these statues by the arms or the midsection and strike the ground in rhythm to the beat of the great drums and wooden horns.
Spiritual resonance: This heavy, repetitive hammering aims to awaken the Mother Earth (Katyeleeo), to invoke the ancestors to welcome the deceased’s soul, and to purify the village of the stain of death.
Fertility cult: Outside of funerals, these statues brought out for agricultural rites help fertilize the soil before sowing, transferring the sacred energy of the ancestors into the nourishing earth.
Summary
This 55 cm statue is a Deble Senoufo (rhythmic statuette). Representing a female ancestral figure with cubist forms topped by a large circular emblem, it was used by the initiates of the Poro society to hammer the ground in rhythm during traditional funerals and agricultural rites, in order to purify the community, honor the dead, and solicit the fertility of the land.
Fast and protected shipping. Packages are sent with a tracking number. Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union via Chronopost International. Delivery via Colissimo International to the rest of Europe and worldwide
We speak English.
mask of African art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane arte delle maschere africane
statue of African art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
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
Senoufo / Senufo
Dense and hard wood
Height: 550 mm
Width: 145 mm
Depth: 125 mm
Weight: 2330 g
Ancient tribal repair on the left side of the crest.
This piece, 55 cm tall, actually belongs to the major category of rhythm statues called Deble (or Pombibele, literally "the children of Poro"), used during the ceremonies of the Poro secret society.
1. Stylistic Characteristics and Senoufo Iconography
The geometric, elongated aesthetic of the statue perfectly meets the criteria for the great mythical Senoufo ancestors:
The pestle or massive base: The statue rests on a heavy, thick, circular pedestal shaped like a pestle. It is the absolute hallmark of the Deble, designed specifically to be grasped by the arms and pounded on the ground.
The crown or summit disc: The large flat circular element above the head is an extreme stylization of certain ritual hairstyles or sacred divination trays, here adorned with geometric motifs (zigzag lines, cross) symbolizing the forces of creation and the crossroads of the world of the invisible.
The arms in chevrons and the volumes: The arms form rigid, massive right angles ending in simplified hands placed on the abdomen or hips. The face shows a gaunt profile, a jaw protruding forward (prognathism) and typical linear scarifications (temples, cheeks, abdomen).
2. Use within the Poro society
The Deble statue is one of the most sacred objects of the Senoufo initiation. It embodies the spirit of a primordial ancestor.
The hammering of the earth (Funerary rhythm): At the funerals of a dignitary of the Poro society, initiates proceed in a solemn procession. They hold these statues by the arms or the midsection and strike the ground in rhythm to the beat of the great drums and wooden horns.
Spiritual resonance: This heavy, repetitive hammering aims to awaken the Mother Earth (Katyeleeo), to invoke the ancestors to welcome the deceased’s soul, and to purify the village of the stain of death.
Fertility cult: Outside of funerals, these statues brought out for agricultural rites help fertilize the soil before sowing, transferring the sacred energy of the ancestors into the nourishing earth.
Summary
This 55 cm statue is a Deble Senoufo (rhythmic statuette). Representing a female ancestral figure with cubist forms topped by a large circular emblem, it was used by the initiates of the Poro society to hammer the ground in rhythm during traditional funerals and agricultural rites, in order to purify the community, honor the dead, and solicit the fertility of the land.
Fast and protected shipping. Packages are sent with a tracking number. Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union via Chronopost International. Delivery via Colissimo International to the rest of Europe and worldwide
We speak English.
mask of African art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane arte delle maschere africane
statue of African art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
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
Ethnic group/ culture
Initiation statue "déblé"
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
