A lowre percussion hammer with engraved decoration, carved w - Lot 81

A lowre percussion hammer with engraved decoration, carved with a bonu amwin mask, a knot on the openwork handle, and decorated with upholsterer's nails. The lowre (or lawle) hammer in the Jean Roudillon collection features a bonu amuin mask, literally "god of the bush", whose violent apparitions were feared. The gong hammers could be part of the regalia, and still set the rhythm of traditional dances, and in the past those of diviner trances, calling "beings forces" and "awakened". The finely incised geometric decorations bear witness to a very fine antique style, as does the expressive mask with its refined stylization adorned with four elegant, long horns. The handle of the hammer is carved with a knot, a classic subject in Baule art, symbolizing knowledge. Baule, Ivory Coast Wood, upholsterer's nails, wear and very fine old patina H. 30 cm See pp. 141-143 for other examples of lawle hammers in: Arts de la Côte d'Ivoire Tome 2, Ed. Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva 1993. Provenance : Jean Roudillon Collection