Temple Column With Caryatid, Ebrié, Laguna Region, Ivory Coast

A rare, multi-tiered Ebrié column; at the bottom, a mother holds her child by the hand; a pregnant woman holds her belly and a breast; and a man strokes his beard (wisdom). In the center, a strong man serves as a support for the great figure of motherhood; he holds the egg on his back—a symbol of fertility among these peoples; and at the top is the main figure, Motherhood with a child between her legs, one hand on her swollen belly and the other pressing her breast to nurse (a symbol of nourishment ). Motherhood often symbolizes nature as a creative energy and source of life; worshipping a maternal figure is also done for the sake of harvests, hunting, and fishing...
Beautiful polychrome painting; note the intricate hairstyle and the beautiful back scarifications. An exceptional piece—the only other example ever found was sold at Christie’s => SEE HERE .
Good condition, total height 88 cm and 92 cm with the base .