Superb statue of a wife, in wood and kaolin, typical of the Dan ethnic group of Côte d'Ivoire

Height: 51 cm, missing parts (see photos)

Dan statues

Known for their many masks with a generally dark patina, the Dan produced few statues. The best known were commissioned by Chiefs and represented their favorite wives. They generally measure between 50 and 60 cm, have a neat hairstyle and sometimes carry (as is the case here) a child on their back.

The possession of such a statue represented a great pride for the Dan woman; the statues were therefore kept carefully hidden inside the houses and were only shown on exceptional occasions such as the visit of an important dignitary.

The Dan people

The Dan, also known as Yacuba (Yacouba), live in western Côte d'Ivoire and northeastern Liberia. They once lived in autonomous villages led by a chief elected for his wealth and social position.

Secret societies have united these different villages, the best known of which is the Leopard Society, which plays a major role in the lives of the Dan and organizes initiations in the form of three or four months of isolation in the forest.