Divination statuette. - Mbra. - Baule - Côte d'Ivoire

This double statuette representing a man carrying a woman on his back is attributed to the divination cult named Mbra. According to Susan M. Vogel - The Baoulé Art of the Visible and the Invisible, p. 222-: "In Baoulé, being possessed is 'to have an spirit that falls on you' (sic). These two figures can represent a diviner, and the spirit that has fallen on him, fused into a single being." The last photo shows an example of these rare diviner statuettes (the aforementioned work, p. 222).

Dense red wood.
Dry patina from use.

Note desiccation cracks in places, a few xylophagous holes – treated – indigenous repair with a staple at the base.
Sold with the base.

Height 56 cm including base X width 16 cm including base X depth 16 cm including base Weight 1.760 kg