African Fon ‘Boccio’ Wooden Couple- Lot 332, Auction 6/25/2018
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African Fon ‘Boccio’ Wooden Couple- Lot 332, Auction 6/25/2018

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Africa, Republic of Benin, ca. early 20th century CE. A pair of hand-carved wooden figures called Boccio by the Fon peoples. One represents a nude female with her arms held before her, palms facing upward, fingers nicely delineated, her face with a smiling expression, almond-shaped eyes, scarification marks on the cheeks, and crowned by a elaborate twisted/plaited coiffure. The other figure wears a pleated, skirt-like garment with one hand engaged in a fist, perhaps once holding an object, also with a smiling visage. Both stand on an integral rectangular plinth and show nice remains of white pigment. Size: taller one measures 12.625″ H (32.1 cm)

Boccio figures were traditionally placed in shrines where they were sunk into the earth and allowed to age and weather with exposure. They are relatively small in scale; however, their spiritual presence is great. Fon Boccio statues are intended to protect by deterring evil spirits. They do not represent individual spirits; instead, their human phenotypes are believed to be repositories for spiritual forces.

Condition: One figure is missing right arm. Expected surface wear, encrustation commensurate with age and exposure.

Provenance: ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired prior to 1970

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