Estimate
€ 12.000 - 16.000
Sold
€ 7.066
The price includes buyer's premium
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Information
h 31 cm
Goblet for ointments.
Wood with a dark glaze, painted with a mixture of white, ochre, and black colours .Work made by the sculptor Kouassi Kouame in around 1948.
A goblet for ointments sustained by a series of pierced clamps that keep it raised from its circular base. The cover, with a half-length handle of a female figure, is the notable aspect of this work. Four other smaller figures, sitting on classic Baulé stools, are located in each of the lower corners. Two are female and two are male. The entire work is adorned with a series of engravings that are characteristic of Baulé craftsmanship. These goblets were used by diviners, both men and women, as receptacles for shea butter and various ointments. A wife, before officiating rituals to recall her imaginary husband’s spirit, would spread the propitiatory ointments contained within the goblet over her body.The Baulé tradition of sculpting these ritual goblets, associated with the worship of their ancestors, was developed in the region of Bouaké, a city in the middle of Ivory Coast.In some sculptures, today featured in western collectors, the hand of artists who have worked in workshops can be recognised, as if they have left an indelible signature of their work.
Goblet for ointments.
Wood with a dark glaze, painted with a mixture of white, ochre, and black colours .Work made by the sculptor Kouassi Kouame in around 1948.
A goblet for ointments sustained by a series of pierced clamps that keep it raised from its circular base. The cover, with a half-length handle of a female figure, is the notable aspect of this work. Four other smaller figures, sitting on classic Baulé stools, are located in each of the lower corners. Two are female and two are male. The entire work is adorned with a series of engravings that are characteristic of Baulé craftsmanship. These goblets were used by diviners, both men and women, as receptacles for shea butter and various ointments. A wife, before officiating rituals to recall her imaginary husband’s spirit, would spread the propitiatory ointments contained within the goblet over her body.The Baulé tradition of sculpting these ritual goblets, associated with the worship of their ancestors, was developed in the region of Bouaké, a city in the middle of Ivory Coast.In some sculptures, today featured in western collectors, the hand of artists who have worked in workshops can be recognised, as if they have left an indelible signature of their work.
Provenance
Galleria Paolo Morigi, Lugano (1978);
Collection of Walter Schwab, Bern (inv. WS 320) (2005);
Collection of Walter Schwab, Bern (inv. WS 320) (2005);
Specialist Notes
Lot not located at Finarte offices but in Switzerland. It could be subject to customs costs related to the importation into the buyer’s country. In any event, any customs cost and/or burden related to importation shall be borne by the buyer. For more information, please write an email to arteafricana@finarte.it;