Statue

Statue representing a female figure (Blo bla or Asie usu) from the Baulè people of Côte d'Ivoire. “Female figure (Blo bla or Asie usu) of an adult but not elderly woman, [...] seated on a typical Akan ceremonial stool. [...] Significant details include the rings around the neck, the facial features, the perfectly formed earlobes, and the braids of the rich yet simple coiffure. Slight asymmetries along the vertical and horizontal axes, together with the visible reddish underlayer, enliven the figure [...] traces of sacrificial material remain on the left arm” (quoted from E. Bassani [ed.], Arte dell'Africa Nera, Florence–Milan, Skira, 2000). The work is part of the Bassani Collection (inv. AFR 00038 2513A).

Photo: Paolo Vandrasch, Milano; Giuliano Spagnul, Milano; Vivi Papi, Varese.

Courtesy MUDEC.