West Africa, Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire), Baule culture, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. A pair of hand-carved wooden slingshot handles, each sculpted in the form of anthropomorphic figures and faces. The larger handle depicts a nude woman painted in blue, with her legs spread to form the attachment points for the sling. The second handle features multiple carved faces along its length, possibly representing masks, spirits, or ancestors. Slingshots were traditionally used for hunting small game, and the carved figures were more than decorative - they were believed to embody spirits or ancestral forces that provided hunters with guidance and protection. Size of largest: 3" L x 9.75" H (7.6 cm x 24.8 cm); 10" H (25.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection

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#189408

    Condition:
  • Stable but deep pressure fissures on the face handle. Scuffs, discoloration, and patina on the painted figural handle, otherwise intact.

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by Artemis Fine Arts
January 30, 2025 8:00 AM MST
686 S. Taylor Ave., #108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Artemis Fine Arts

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