Baulé monkeys: these zoomorphic figures which (who) usually hold a sacrificial bowl, representing some supernatural power – Amuin – have always been among the most fascinating and intriguing artworks of Western Africa. In 2016, the African art specialist Bruno Claessens in collaboration with the art collector Jean-Louis Danis published for the first time a book dedicated to this specific corpus from the Baulé culture, in Côte d’Ivoire. On the front cover of the book, appears the fierce face of one of these baboon-like sculpture, showing its menacing canines to the reader.
This Baulé monkey and its rare and stunning intertwining legs, along with 50 other artworks mainly from Africa belonging to Jean-Louis Danis, was listed by Christie’s in an auction sale which took place on October 26th 2023 in Paris.
Room 1
Gathered during almost 40 years, Jean-Louis Danis collection featured some rare artworks from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including a janus Songyé sculpture, various Yombé maternity figures and a powerful commemorative misi statue, from the Boyo people (ex-Frieda and Milton Rosenthal collection) – the most expensive lot of the auction, sold for more than one million euros.
Room 2
The other highlights of the sale included a elongated feminine figure with a strong patina, from the Kéréwé culture in Tanzania, an impressive (1m40 tall) Lobi statue from Burkina Faso and a Bangwa sculpture, portrait of a powerful past king of this Cameroonese area.
Room 3
Besides two Baulé monkeys, Western Africa was well represented in the sale with some Akan sculptures from Ghana, a Nimba style Baga figure from Guinea or a wonderful Senufo bird from Côte d’Ivoire.
Room 4
Eventually, the last room exhibited smaller artworks – see below the two very fine Guro loom pulleys or the Maori Hei Tiki – but also this Gugu club from the Fiji Islands which once belonged to James Thomas Hooper.
Photos credits: @elegantinparis
Elégances Parisiennes 