Description
Senufo staff top, Ivory Coast Wood, cowrie shells, metal, glass beads H. 26 cm Senufo staff top, Ivory Coast H. 10 ¼ in Depicted seated in a hieratic attitude, this female statue once adorned the top of a ceremonial cane called a tefalipitya, an award given to champions during Poro initiation ceremonies. The angular face has stylized features. The fleshy mouth is highlighted by scarification marks at the corners of the mouth. The head is topped by an elegant traditional braided hairstyle that falls on the top of the forehead. The conical breasts seem to spring from the top of the torso with rounded lines. The arms are folded along the body while the hands enclose a bountiful belly. The protruding umbilicus is highlighted by scarification marks. An ancient attribute called a tyogo forming a cluster of cowries hangs from the back. This beautiful figure is typical of Senoufo art, with its remarkably dynamic forms, combining taut curves and inclined planes that are forcefully placed in space.
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Senufo staff top, Ivory Coast Wood, cowrie shells, metal, glass beads H. 26 cm Senufo staff top, Ivory Coast H. 10 ¼ in Depicted seated in a hieratic attitude, this female statue once adorned the top of a ceremonial cane called a tefalipitya, an award given to champions during Poro initiation ceremonies. The angular face has stylized features. The fleshy mouth is highlighted by scarification marks at the corners of the mouth. The head is topped by an elegant traditional braided hairstyle that falls on the top of the forehead. The conical breasts seem to spring from the top of the torso with rounded lines. The arms are folded along the body while the hands enclose a bountiful belly. The protruding umbilicus is highlighted by scarification marks. An ancient attribute called a tyogo forming a cluster of cowries hangs from the back. This beautiful figure is typical of Senoufo art, with its remarkably dynamic forms, combining taut curves and inclined planes that are forcefully placed in space.
