Baule Colon statue of a businessman - Ivory Coast

Description

Authentic Baule Colon statue of a businessman from Ivory Coast, beautifully painted and with powerful charisma.

This colourful wooden sculpture depicts an African businessman dressed in a blue jacket, white trousers, red vest and white helmet, holding a briefcase. The expressive facial expression and vibrant colours make this an exceptional example of so-called 'Colon art', born of the meeting between African sculptural tradition and European influences in the 20th century.

Origin & meaning
Colon statues like this businessman statue were made in Côte d'Ivoire to represent the changing society, where colonial influences and local culture came together. They depict officials, doctors, missionaries and businessmen, among others, often with a mix of satire and respect. Today, these sculptures are loved by collectors of African art for their unique place in colonial and post-colonial history.

Dimensions & condition
Height: 32.5 cm
Width: 7.5 cm
Depth: 5 cm
The sculpture is in good condition with slight signs of use appropriate to its age and use.