Porpianong, ritual cockatoo altar statue – 1950s–60s - Sénoufo - Côte d'Ivoire
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Current bid
€ 65
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 190 - € 210
 | €65 | |
|---|---|---|
| €55 |
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This mid-20th-century Sénoufo wooden sculpture from Côte d’Ivoire, titled “Porpianong, ritueel Calao altaarbeeld – 1950-60”, has a stone-like kaolin crust and represents a ritual hornbill altar figure associated with fertility and protection.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
This image is a personal or family fertility and protection figure.
When Katyeleo, the female aspect of the supreme god, takes the form of the monumental, protective hornbill, the sculpture itself is often called Porpianong, which literally means “Mother of the Poro Child.”
The way the forms flow into and connect with one another represents the original pair of twins (male and female) from whom humanity descended, according to Senufo cosmology. The two bird forms rising from a single trunk and base symbolize that the male and female are inseparable in passing on life.
The figure depicts Porpianong (the Calao) in her role as protector and nurturer. The large, curved wings or beaks overlapping one another imitate the way a hornbill protects her young in the nest.
Within the secret Poro societies (the Senufo ritual school), this posture symbolizes the “Mother of the Poro Children.” She protects young men during their spiritual transformation into adulthood.
This image is a personal or family fertility and protection figure.
When Katyeleo, the female aspect of the supreme god, takes the form of the monumental, protective hornbill, the sculpture itself is often called Porpianong, which literally means “Mother of the Poro Child.”
The way the forms flow into and connect with one another represents the original pair of twins (male and female) from whom humanity descended, according to Senufo cosmology. The two bird forms rising from a single trunk and base symbolize that the male and female are inseparable in passing on life.
The figure depicts Porpianong (the Calao) in her role as protector and nurturer. The large, curved wings or beaks overlapping one another imitate the way a hornbill protects her young in the nest.
Within the secret Poro societies (the Senufo ritual school), this posture symbolizes the “Mother of the Poro Children.” She protects young men during their spiritual transformation into adulthood.
Details
Ethnic group/ culture
Sénoufo
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Period
Mid 20th century
Material
Wood with a stony kaolinite crust
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Porpianong, ritual cockatoo altar statue – 1950s–60s
Height
31 cm
Width
26 cm
Depth
13 cm
Weight
2 kg
Authenticity
Original/official
