Baule Colon statue - seated man with red cap - Ivory Coast

Description

Authentic Baule Colon statue of a seated man with red cap, Ivory Coast, late 20th century. A powerful and lived-in sculpture with an austere look and traces of age.

Origin & meaning
This Colon sculpture belongs to the tradition of de Baule in Ivory Coast, where colonial influences in art were incorporated into colourful and often expressive sculptures. This particular sculpture shows a seated man with red cap and a subdued expression, through which the sculptor has depicted both dignity and human vulnerability. Colon sculptures were often produced in response to the colonial presence and were also used in ceremonial contexts to integrate modern figures into the Baule cosmology.

Provenance: Private estate Dordrecht; acquired at Peerdeman Auction House.

Dimensions & condition
Height 28.5 cm, width 11 cm, depth 11.5 cm. The statue is in authentic lived-in condition: wear to the black paint layer, chips to the base, craquelé and light paint wear on the face and cap. The red paint on the cap is still largely visible and gives the statue its characteristic look.