DAN Maternity Figure

A large striking Dan maternity figure (1st half 20th C., 66 cm) from the Ivory Coast — a standing female carrying an infant on her back, characterized by a highly detailed incised coiffure, a prominent ringed neck, and scarification marks across the torso, the wood exhibiting a dark varied patina with thick localized ritual encrustations on the face and chest.

1. Idealized Matriarchal Beauty

The carving traditions of the Dan focus heavily on idealized flawless human beauty rather than realistic portraiture.

• Canonical Signs: The high prominent forehead, narrow slit eyes, and stacked ringed neck are canonical signs of prosperity, health, and supreme feminine beauty.
• Status and Perfection: Complex geometric carving of the braided hair and raised keloid scarification across the torso highlights elevated social status and physical perfection.

2. Lu Me and Lineage Veneration

While visually representing maternity, this figure is not a simple fertility charm — it likely represents a lu me (a revered female ancestor or foundational matriarch of a specific lineage).

• Domestic Shrine Matriarch: Kept in a private domestic shrine, the figure was venerated to ensure continuity of the family line, protect vulnerable children from witchcraft, and bestow the matriarch's worldly success upon her living descendants.
• Fulfilled Lineage Duty: The presence of the child on her back emphasizes her fulfilled duty to the lineage.

3. Saturated Patina and Shrine Feeding

The physical surface confirms active integrated use in a shrine setting during the first half of the 20th century.

• Blackened Crust Zones: The wood possesses a deep oxidized core overlaid with patches of thick blackened crusty patina — particularly localized around face, breasts, and abdomen.
• Kola Nut and Blood Offerings: This crust is the direct result of ritual feeding — masticated kola nuts, palm oil, and blood offerings spat or rubbed directly onto the wood to nourish the ancestral spirit residing within.