Fetish / statuette - Koulango / Akan - Côte d'Ivoire
00
days
12
hours
57
minutes
08
seconds
Current bid
€ 37
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €37 |
|---|
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 141582 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Description from the seller
Côte d'Ivoire
Koulango / Abron / Attié?
Wood
Height: 190mm
Width: 55mm
Depth: 85mm
Weight: 1340g
1. Attribution and cultural context
This 18.5 cm statuette, from Côte d'Ivoire, bears characteristics compatible with the sculptural tradition of the Koulango (or Kulango) people, mainly settled in the northeast of Ivory Coast around Bouna, and also in the western part of Ghana. The Koulango belong to an ancient cultural group that maintained close relations with the Lobi, Nafana, Lorhon and Akan peoples. Their sculpture is relatively rare and less documented than Baoulé or Senufo sculpture, which gives it a particular ethnographic interest. Attribution to this group is coherent with the general morphology of the sculpture, even though absolute certainty would require documented provenance or field expertise.
2. Stylistic description
The sculpture depicts a female figure seated in a stable position, with legs strongly drawn forward. The composition is deliberately pared-down and favors essential volumes over anatomical realism. The torso is elongated, the neck is particularly developed, and the head adopts a triangular shape with geometric contours. This deliberate simplification is one of the characteristics of several Koulango workshops.
3. The head and face
The head is proportionally large relative to the body. The forehead is broad and the hairstyle is indicated by a succession of fine parallel incisions. The almond-shaped, half-closed eyes express inward concentration more than outward observation. The long, straight nose dominates a narrow face finished by a discreet mouth. The overall expression conveys calm, restraint, and self-control, qualities particularly valued in representations related to the world of ancestors.
4. The neck as a symbolic element
The very elongated neck is one of the most remarkable elements of this sculpture. In many West African traditions, a developed neck symbolizes nobility, dignity, and the ability to secure communication between the visible world of the living and that of ancestors or invisible powers. This anatomical exaggeration thus serves not only an aesthetic function but also conveys a spiritual quality.
5. The female body
Conical breasts clearly identify an adult female figure. In Koulango iconography, as with several neighboring peoples, women often represent the continuity of lineage, fertility, and community prosperity. The deliberately marked navel symbolically recalls the origin of life and belonging to a family lineage. The very sober treatment of the body does not aim to faithfully reproduce anatomy but to highlight the essential functions attributed to the figure.
6. The seated posture
The seated position conveys stability, authority, and permanence. Unlike figures depicted in motion, this attitude evokes a durable presence among the living. In Koulango traditions, such a posture is compatible with a protective or commemorative function. The base formed by the folded legs also provides excellent stability, essential for an object intended to remain on a domestic altar.
7. Probable ritual function
Given its small size, this statuette was likely intended for domestic use rather than public display. It could have been kept in a family shrine or on an altar where ancestors were honored. It could also be brought out during particular ceremonies related to home protection, births, harvests, or healing requests.
8. Support for a spiritual presence
In Koulango beliefs, the sculpture is not itself the object of veneration but a support enabling a link with an invisible power. The statuette could symbolically host the presence of a protective ancestor, a tutelary spirit, or a beneficial force invoked during rites. Sacrifices, libations, or anointings laid on the sculpture strengthened this relationship between the human world and the spiritual world.
9. Symbolism of femininity
Choosing a female representation is probably linked to several complementary notions: fertility, maternal protection, continuity of generations, and abundance. In many societies of this region, female figures also embody the stability of the family unit and the transmission of ancestral values.
10. Signs of use
The surface shows an irregular aged patina, abrasions, and deposits suggesting long use. These alterations may result from repeated handling, applications of plant oils, mineral powders, or other ritual substances. The uniform wear observed on protruding parts appears consistent with an object that has seen actual use rather than mere decoration.
11. Comparison with neighboring traditions
The sculpture shows affinities with Lobi or Nafana works, particularly in the simplification of volumes and frontal presentation. However, the very flattened triangular head, the long cylindrical neck, and the relatively soft modeling of the body align more with works attributed to Koulango workshops. It also differs from Baoulé statuary, typically more naturalistic, and from Senufo sculpture, often more elongated and complex in construction.
12. Place in Koulango culture
Koulango statuary is less abundant than that of several neighboring peoples, which explains its relative rarity in public collections. The preserved sculptures nonetheless testify to an original artistic tradition where geometric stylization combines with a strong religious dimension. They participated in daily spiritual life by materializing the links between the living, the ancestors, and protective invisible forces.
13. State of conservation
The wear, patina, and surface deposits are consistent with significant antiquity and reinforce the historical interest of the object.
Conclusion
This 18.5 cm bronze statuette can reasonably be attributed to the Koulango tradition of Ivory Coast. Its geometric style, elongated neck, understated face, and seated posture are compatible with a work intended for domestic cult. It presumably represents a female figure endowed with a protective function related to fertility, the continuity of lineage, and ancestor worship. More than a simple artistic object, it served as a mediation tool between the community of the living and the spiritual powers watching over it.
Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with tracking number.
Delivery by Chronopost between 1 to 3 days in France and 2 to 5 days across the European Union. Delivery to 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
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 TranslateCôte d'Ivoire
Koulango / Abron / Attié?
Wood
Height: 190mm
Width: 55mm
Depth: 85mm
Weight: 1340g
1. Attribution and cultural context
This 18.5 cm statuette, from Côte d'Ivoire, bears characteristics compatible with the sculptural tradition of the Koulango (or Kulango) people, mainly settled in the northeast of Ivory Coast around Bouna, and also in the western part of Ghana. The Koulango belong to an ancient cultural group that maintained close relations with the Lobi, Nafana, Lorhon and Akan peoples. Their sculpture is relatively rare and less documented than Baoulé or Senufo sculpture, which gives it a particular ethnographic interest. Attribution to this group is coherent with the general morphology of the sculpture, even though absolute certainty would require documented provenance or field expertise.
2. Stylistic description
The sculpture depicts a female figure seated in a stable position, with legs strongly drawn forward. The composition is deliberately pared-down and favors essential volumes over anatomical realism. The torso is elongated, the neck is particularly developed, and the head adopts a triangular shape with geometric contours. This deliberate simplification is one of the characteristics of several Koulango workshops.
3. The head and face
The head is proportionally large relative to the body. The forehead is broad and the hairstyle is indicated by a succession of fine parallel incisions. The almond-shaped, half-closed eyes express inward concentration more than outward observation. The long, straight nose dominates a narrow face finished by a discreet mouth. The overall expression conveys calm, restraint, and self-control, qualities particularly valued in representations related to the world of ancestors.
4. The neck as a symbolic element
The very elongated neck is one of the most remarkable elements of this sculpture. In many West African traditions, a developed neck symbolizes nobility, dignity, and the ability to secure communication between the visible world of the living and that of ancestors or invisible powers. This anatomical exaggeration thus serves not only an aesthetic function but also conveys a spiritual quality.
5. The female body
Conical breasts clearly identify an adult female figure. In Koulango iconography, as with several neighboring peoples, women often represent the continuity of lineage, fertility, and community prosperity. The deliberately marked navel symbolically recalls the origin of life and belonging to a family lineage. The very sober treatment of the body does not aim to faithfully reproduce anatomy but to highlight the essential functions attributed to the figure.
6. The seated posture
The seated position conveys stability, authority, and permanence. Unlike figures depicted in motion, this attitude evokes a durable presence among the living. In Koulango traditions, such a posture is compatible with a protective or commemorative function. The base formed by the folded legs also provides excellent stability, essential for an object intended to remain on a domestic altar.
7. Probable ritual function
Given its small size, this statuette was likely intended for domestic use rather than public display. It could have been kept in a family shrine or on an altar where ancestors were honored. It could also be brought out during particular ceremonies related to home protection, births, harvests, or healing requests.
8. Support for a spiritual presence
In Koulango beliefs, the sculpture is not itself the object of veneration but a support enabling a link with an invisible power. The statuette could symbolically host the presence of a protective ancestor, a tutelary spirit, or a beneficial force invoked during rites. Sacrifices, libations, or anointings laid on the sculpture strengthened this relationship between the human world and the spiritual world.
9. Symbolism of femininity
Choosing a female representation is probably linked to several complementary notions: fertility, maternal protection, continuity of generations, and abundance. In many societies of this region, female figures also embody the stability of the family unit and the transmission of ancestral values.
10. Signs of use
The surface shows an irregular aged patina, abrasions, and deposits suggesting long use. These alterations may result from repeated handling, applications of plant oils, mineral powders, or other ritual substances. The uniform wear observed on protruding parts appears consistent with an object that has seen actual use rather than mere decoration.
11. Comparison with neighboring traditions
The sculpture shows affinities with Lobi or Nafana works, particularly in the simplification of volumes and frontal presentation. However, the very flattened triangular head, the long cylindrical neck, and the relatively soft modeling of the body align more with works attributed to Koulango workshops. It also differs from Baoulé statuary, typically more naturalistic, and from Senufo sculpture, often more elongated and complex in construction.
12. Place in Koulango culture
Koulango statuary is less abundant than that of several neighboring peoples, which explains its relative rarity in public collections. The preserved sculptures nonetheless testify to an original artistic tradition where geometric stylization combines with a strong religious dimension. They participated in daily spiritual life by materializing the links between the living, the ancestors, and protective invisible forces.
13. State of conservation
The wear, patina, and surface deposits are consistent with significant antiquity and reinforce the historical interest of the object.
Conclusion
This 18.5 cm bronze statuette can reasonably be attributed to the Koulango tradition of Ivory Coast. Its geometric style, elongated neck, understated face, and seated posture are compatible with a work intended for domestic cult. It presumably represents a female figure endowed with a protective function related to fertility, the continuity of lineage, and ancestor worship. More than a simple artistic object, it served as a mediation tool between the community of the living and the spiritual powers watching over it.
Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with tracking number.
Delivery by Chronopost between 1 to 3 days in France and 2 to 5 days across the European Union. Delivery to 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
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
Koulango / Akan
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Bronze
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Fetish / statuette
Sold by
