Equestrian figure, Ivory Coast
Stylistically this figure can be placed in the Lagoon region - Baule? Attye?
Wood, pigment
27" tall x 6" wide x 9" deep
This figure is being sold on consignment from a private collection
SOLD
This figure has stylistic qualities of figures from the Lagoon areas of the Ivory Coast, it's hard for me to place an exact attribution on it.
The eastern coast of the Ivory Coast comprises an area of lagoons, where the population is divided into twelve different language groups. The
cultural and stylistic unity of these people justifies grouping them together for the purposes of this chapter. Before colonization, each village was
autonomous and, when threatened, they united to form a 'confederation'. Unusually, these people are not governed by chiefs, although a man's
social position is determined by his age.
The sculptural art of this area can be identified by common characteristics. Carvings feature an elaborate coiffure divided into raised masses and
sometimes small button-like scarifications on the face, while the influence of their neighbours, the Akan to the east and the Baule to the north, is
also apparent.
The two principal groups of the Lagoon area are the Ebrie and the Attye (also called Akye). The Anyi people, also called Angi, live to the
north-east of this area and evolved an artistic tradition reflecting the influence of both the Lagoon and the Baule people.
Despite its appearance, I believe this object was made specifically for the collecting market.
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