Baule or Akan mythical animal

Ivory Coast or Ghana

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Wood

8/15 cm

Late 19th to early 20th Cent.

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A fine, alert, sculpture of a mythical animal from the broader Baule/Akan complex of Ivory Coast or Ghana.

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As you know these extremely finely incised motives would have once been covered in gold leaf and the sculture would have been part of a King or Court regalia. But it was not always the case, or it was a long time ago on this piece, as attested by the patinated surface of the wood contrasting with the mark left by what once probably was a leather attachment around the neck.

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Provenance: French private collection of a retired art dealer.

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Price: 1800 euros enquiry