A Baule Jewelry Ornament, "tadae", mounted as a Brooch Decorative disk, "tadae", mounted as a brooch Baule, Côte d'Ivoire Ohne Sockel / without base Gold alloy. Ø 7 cm. Provenance: - Jean-Louis Rinsoz (1932-1971), Vevey. - Heirs of Jean-Louis Rinsoz, French-speaking Switzerland. Disc-shaped jewelry elements ("tadae"), also known as soul-bearer's discs, are worn individually or in combination with others as necklaces. The sun symbol allegorically stands for the radiant soul of the ruler and is said to protect the wearer from harm. ----------------------------------------------------- For centuries, the valuable precious metal from the former "Gold Coast" of Africa was the object of interest and desire of African and European merchants. Trade led to the rise of powerful states whose wealth and skill in gold processing became legendary. The royal courts of the Akan produced masterful pieces of jewelry using highly developed manufacturing processes, especially lost wax casting. "We cannot live without beautiful things" - this statement by a Baule could also have come from the mouth of a Western art lover. Surrounding themselves with attractive objects was as fundamental a concern for the Baule in Côte d'Ivoire as it was for Western collectors of African art. This Baule approach to life was expressed in finely crafted ritual figures as well as in lovingly decorated everyday objects and jewelry. Even today, the gold jewelry serves as a sign of rank and affiliation of the royal families. The powerful expressiveness of these unique pieces reflects the rich metaphors of the Akan and is based on the tradition of the highly esteemed art of oratory. The motifs depicted always refer to people, animals or objects that allegorically represent praiseworthy qualities and sayings. Further reading: Ross, Doran and Eisner, Georg (2008). The gold of the Akan. Museum Liaunig. Neuhaus: Museum Administration Ltd. ----------------------------------------------------- Jean-Louis Rinsoz Jean-Louis Rinsoz was born in Vevey in 1932. After completing his schooling, he studied economics at the University of Lausanne (Faculty of Business Administration, HEC) before joining the family business "Rinsoz et Ormond SA" in Vevey, which manufactured tobacco, cigars and cigarettes. Deeply attached to his home region, he was always closely involved in Vevey's social, cultural and industrial activities. In order to diversify the sources of tobacco supply and meet the growing demands of an expanding market, Jean-Louis Rinsoz looked for new production areas. His travels took him first to Maryland (USA) and then, in the mid-1960s, to Côte d'Ivoire. This country was a revelation for him. Everything he was passionate about was there: the nature, the people and their culture! In addition to developing a significant economic partnership with the Ivorian state by setting up several tobacco production centers there, Jean-Louis Rinsoz financed the opening of a number of small schools to provide access to education for the children of this country. He was officially appointed by the Ivorian state as "Honorary Consul of Côte d'Ivoire in Switzerland, based in Vevey" and was even inaugurated as village chief in the Baoulé region. He was equally fascinated by the traditional art of these regions, in its social, aesthetic and religious dimensions. It was in this context that he met the ethnologist and art historian Bohumil Holas, who was then director of the Museum of Civilizations of Côte d'Ivoire in Abidjan. The two men became friends. The confluence of all these factors resulted in the exhibition "Arts de la Côte d'Ivoire. The Treasures of the Abidjan Museum", which was held at the Museum of Fine Arts in Vevey in 1969. Jean-Louis Rinsoz was the chairman of the committee. The moving foreword he wrote for the catalog of this event testifies to his deep attachment to this country. Jean-Louis Rinsoz had applied for Ivorian citizenship. He was never to live to see that day, as he died in a tragic accident in 1971. The African objects from Jean-Louis Rinsoz's personal collection have been in the family ever since and this "treasure from Vevey" is being offered to international collectors of traditional African art for the first time at our auction. CHF 1 000 / 2 000 Weight in grams: 52 Condition: The condition (possible wear, signs of use, tears, possible other impairments and the signs of age, etc.) of this lot can be seen in the photos we have uploaded for your documentation. If you have any questions about this item, please do not hesitate to contact Hammer Auctions ([email protected]).