H x W x D: 7.5 x 3.5 x 2.2 cm (2 15/16 x 1 3/8 x 7/8 in.)
Type:
Figure
Geography:
Korhogo region, Côte d'Ivoire
Date:
Early to mid-20th century
Label Text:
This small male figure is of a type owned and displayed by a sando diviner. Sandogo is the woman's divination society among the Senufo. Its members maintain the relationships between the villagers and the rather complex Senufo hierarchy of spiritual beings. This is done by dealing with daily personal problems on a one to one basis through a system of divination. The more successful the diviner, the more and better are the carved wood or metal figures, which can take the form of individual standing figures, equestrian figures or seated females in wood, cast brass or forged iron. The small individual standing figures, such as this example, relate to the protective double figure pendants prescribed by the diviners.
Description:
Cast copper alloy standing male figure with hands on hips, on a thin rectangular base, with a rectangular block head with globular coffee bean eyes, a small knob on top of the head and a knob on the back of the neck, with an overall dark brown patina.
Provenance:
Jerome Vogel, New York, collected in Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire, ca. 1996-1997 to 2002
Exhibition History:
Art and Oracle, African Art and Rituals of Divination, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, April 25-July 30, 2000
Content Statement:
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