Protective Statutes - Agni - Côte d'Ivoire
05
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17
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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
Agni / Akan
Wood and beads
Height 265 mm + 3 mm metal base
Width: 80 mm
Depth: 70 mm
This anthropomorphic wooden statuette fits perfectly within the artistic corpus of the Akan peoples, and more precisely the Agni (or Anyi) settled east of Ivory Coast, closely related to the Baoulé.
Here is an analysis of its stylistic origin and probable uses:
1. Characteristics and Stylistic Origin
Although Agni art is famous for its funerary terracotta pottery (Mma), wood sculpture plays an important role and shares a strong aesthetic kinship with Baoulé and Ashanti art:
The beaded neck: The circles or pronounced folds around the neck are a beauty standard typical of the Akan world. They symbolize prosperity, health, and physical beauty.
The worked coiffure: The head features a coiffure sculpted in small protuberances or regular geometric macaroons, reflecting the care given to adornment and the social status of the represented figure.
The posture: A hieratic and serene bearing, arms carved along the body and ending at the thighs, with slightly generous forms at the abdomen (which may evoke fertility).
2. Use and Ritual Function
In Agni culture, such a statuette is not a "fetish" in the sense of an aggressive magical receptacle, but rather a spiritual intermediary or representation of an entity. It is generally attributed two major functions:
A. Worship of nature spirits (Asye Usu)
Among the Agni and Baoulé, Asye Usu are spirits of the bush or earth that can interfere with human life, causing diseases or reversals of fortune.
When a diviner (Komien) identifies the anger or influence of one of these spirits, he requests the creation of a wooden statuette to give it a physical "body."
The sculpture is then kept on an altar where it receives offerings to appease the spirit and transform its influence into protection for the household or community.
B. The spouse of the beyond (Equivalent of Blolo Bla / Blolo Bian)
Although this concept is central among the Baoulé, it also exists in similar forms among the Agni. It is the representation of the spiritual partner that every human being possessed in the beyond world before birth.
If a person experiences fertility, marriage, or loneliness problems, the diviner may recommend sculpting one’s spouse from the beyond.
The statuette is then anointed, dressed, and pampered by its owner to harmonize earthly life.
C. Statue of devotion or ancestor
In some contexts, it can also embody an ancestor or be used by a diviner during consultation sessions to materialize its clairvoyant power.
Its height of 26.5 cm is ideal for domestic use, allowing it to be easily placed on a family altar or handled during private rituals.
Packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days by Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide by 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
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
Agni / Akan
Wood and beads
Height 265 mm + 3 mm metal base
Width: 80 mm
Depth: 70 mm
This anthropomorphic wooden statuette fits perfectly within the artistic corpus of the Akan peoples, and more precisely the Agni (or Anyi) settled east of Ivory Coast, closely related to the Baoulé.
Here is an analysis of its stylistic origin and probable uses:
1. Characteristics and Stylistic Origin
Although Agni art is famous for its funerary terracotta pottery (Mma), wood sculpture plays an important role and shares a strong aesthetic kinship with Baoulé and Ashanti art:
The beaded neck: The circles or pronounced folds around the neck are a beauty standard typical of the Akan world. They symbolize prosperity, health, and physical beauty.
The worked coiffure: The head features a coiffure sculpted in small protuberances or regular geometric macaroons, reflecting the care given to adornment and the social status of the represented figure.
The posture: A hieratic and serene bearing, arms carved along the body and ending at the thighs, with slightly generous forms at the abdomen (which may evoke fertility).
2. Use and Ritual Function
In Agni culture, such a statuette is not a "fetish" in the sense of an aggressive magical receptacle, but rather a spiritual intermediary or representation of an entity. It is generally attributed two major functions:
A. Worship of nature spirits (Asye Usu)
Among the Agni and Baoulé, Asye Usu are spirits of the bush or earth that can interfere with human life, causing diseases or reversals of fortune.
When a diviner (Komien) identifies the anger or influence of one of these spirits, he requests the creation of a wooden statuette to give it a physical "body."
The sculpture is then kept on an altar where it receives offerings to appease the spirit and transform its influence into protection for the household or community.
B. The spouse of the beyond (Equivalent of Blolo Bla / Blolo Bian)
Although this concept is central among the Baoulé, it also exists in similar forms among the Agni. It is the representation of the spiritual partner that every human being possessed in the beyond world before birth.
If a person experiences fertility, marriage, or loneliness problems, the diviner may recommend sculpting one’s spouse from the beyond.
The statuette is then anointed, dressed, and pampered by its owner to harmonize earthly life.
C. Statue of devotion or ancestor
In some contexts, it can also embody an ancestor or be used by a diviner during consultation sessions to materialize its clairvoyant power.
Its height of 26.5 cm is ideal for domestic use, allowing it to be easily placed on a family altar or handled during private rituals.
Packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days by Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide by 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
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
Protective Statutes
Ethnic group/ culture
Agni
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
