item #342

from: Ivory Coast

tribe: Baule

material: Wood

price: $550.00

Africans have a plethora of proverbs. It is common for an artist of any medium to incorporate any of those proverbs in his art. The eagle represents power or a powerful person. The turtle represents the common people. The proverb essentially says that each has qualities which give it value, that they are equal. The eagle cannot hurt the shell of the turtle. This is a genuine object, carved in great detail. It would have been covered with gold leaf and the gold either removed before it was sold or it wore off, or a combination of both. It measures 8 1/2" tall (21.6 cm). Please click on the image to see 2 closeups both of which show vestiges of the gold leaf that used to cover the entire piece.

photo # 342.1

photo # 342.2

photo # 342.3