Exhibiting a wide diversity in size, symbolism, intimacy and style., African maternity figures depict the ideals of beauty, fertility, character and action and many signify much more, whether the primordial mother or a legendary founding ancestor. Commonly used as shrine figures, they were often objects of petitions or prayers for fertility and successful births. The prevelance of the maternity theme testifies to the importance of women and children to the continuity of each people.
The Attye belong to a group of small ethnicities, the so-called ‘Lagoon people’, on the eastern shore of the Ivory Coast.
The sculpture shown here embodies the typical style of the Attye: mostly female figures with rounded, sturdy forms, oval faces with sharp-edged, long noses,
Good condition, with traces of tribal use. Nice dark oily aged patina.
Provenance: Justin Barthels (1934-2021), gallery owner Maastricht (NL).