Baule colon statue man with binoculars Ivory Coast 20th century

Description

Baule colon image of a man with binoculars from Ivory Coast - poetic combination of humour, culture and colonial reference.

Origin & meaning
Colon sculptures originated at de Baule in the 20th century as figurative representations of European influences, sometimes satirical, sometimes ritualistic, but always with deep cultural interpretation. This example shows a man with binoculars, a modern twist on the colon motif. He reflects how the Baule metaphorically and visually explored the outside world, with humour and sophisticated woodworking.

Provenance
Private estate Dordrecht; purchased via Veilinghuis Peerdeman.

Cultural context
Colon figures served as artistic commentaries on colonial presence. They often depict urban modernity or social observation. The binocular attribute adds a satirical but also ritualistic dimension: looking outwards, exploration, communication with the unknown.

Dimensions & Condition
Height: 37.5 cm
Width: 8 cm
Depth: 7 cm
Condition: original polychromy largely intact, with light wear appropriate to its age. Beautiful dark patina combined with colour accents, stable and well-preserved.