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A Fon fetish figure, borderdestrict Togo/Benin with heavy encrusted sacrification patina and different attachments items like wood, textiles and iron.

The Fon people live in the Dahomey kingdom, which is part of the Republic of Benin. Oral tradition suggests the Dahomey kingdom was created by a Yoruba princess some time before the 17th century. During the 18th century, its territories expanded and they took part in the slave trade with the French colonials. Two categories of Fon objects can be distinguished. The first includes royal paraphernalia such as Icing figures, commemorative iron staffs, called Asen, small metal emblematic figures and sceptres decorated with a zoomorphic blade. 

The second category of objects is called Bocio and relates to the Vodun or magical ceremonies undertaken to contact the spirit world and trap harmful forces. The word Vodun is derived from the Yoruba language and also refers to the Fon gods. The Bocio are wooden figures made by blacksmiths under the order of a Fa diviner. They are usually set on a peg and covered with magical substances to the extent that the figure may be hidden. These substances are made of blood, palm oil, beer and animal parts and are believed to give power to the bocio." 

800 - 1.000,- Euro

Height: 54 cm incl. stand
Weight: 2,1 kg

 

_BBD041491
photo: wolfgang-jaenicke.com, for more information, please write us an e-mail with the identification number of the photo identification no. _BBD041491.jpg
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