A male Baule monkey, posted on a rectangular base, holding a vessel in its hands - pierced through with attachment holes at the rim, partly encrusted sacrification patina., probably from the workshop of the master of the double C-Auricle or its circumstance.

The Baule have monkey figures commonly used for the "Mbra" cult that more or less resemble each other. Endowed with prognathic jaw and sharp teeth and a granular patina resulting from sacrifices, the monkey holds a bowl or a pestle in its paws that was used to hold an egg. Sources differ on its role or function: some say it intervenes in the ritual of divination, others that it is a protection against sorcerers, or a protective divinity of agrarian rites, or a bush spirit. Owned only by trance diviners and certain families, the figure resides hidden outside under a shelter. The sculpture is said to feed on sacrifices brought from the bush and poured all over the figure, leaving it filthy and encrusted.

Sources: A History of Art in Africa and Africa and Africa - The Art of A Continent

"Baule Monkeys are powerful objects, which are forbidden to be seen in public display. Monkey figures share stylistic features with the mens´s sacred masks, and have some of the qualities of secrecy and danger to women. They combine animal and human traits in such way that it is nearly impossible to separate them, and they have the prominent teeth and boxy muzzle typical of the masks. Both also receive sacrifical offerings directly on the sculpture, and are associated with the bush. Mbra monkey figures, for example are kept in the village, but "fed" with sacrifices in the bush."

Susan Vogel, 1997:238

related exemplares Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY,
Paolo Morigi Collection
Ferrari de la Salle Collection, an Antique dealer and collector,
who lived a long time in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Called the Master of the Double C Auricle.

Rand African Art

sold

Height: 58 cm
Weight: 4,2 kg