A small Senufo sculpture

Estimated price  800 - 1.000 €

A small Senufo sculpture, Northern Ivory Coast, collected in the Southern Korhogo region.

Provenance: On request

Senufo sculpture from the Southern Korhogo region in northern Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is a highly esteemed form of West African art. The Senufo people are renowned for their woodcarving traditions, which are deeply rooted in spiritual, ritualistic, and social functions. Senufo "bowlkeeper" sculptures—also known as bowl-bearer or bowl-holder figures—are a distinctive form of ritual art from the Senufo people of northern Côte d’Ivoire, particularly the Korhogo region. These figures typically depict a female figure carrying a bowl on her head or hands, symbolizing offerings, ancestral communication, or spiritual receptacles.

These sculptures are not merely decorative but serve as conduits between the physical and spiritual realms in Senufo culture. Their presence in various art markets underscores their cultural significance and the appreciation they garner among collectors and scholars alike.

In Senufo society, bowlkeeper figures are believed to serve as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual realms. The bowls they carry are thought to hold offerings or sacred substances used in rituals associated with the Poro Society, a central institution governing initiation, education, and social order among the Senufo. These sculptures embody ideals of femininity, fertility, and the nurturing aspects of womanhood, reflecting the community's reverence for ancestral spirits and the natural world.

Auction results: Dorotheum, Artkahade, Sotheby

Social media: Instagram

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Price on request.

Height: 40 cm
Weight: 430 g