Wooden sacrificial pole figure Fon
€ 1250
Length:
10
Height:
71,5
Width:
8
Wooden pole figure, dark sacrificial patina of mainly oil.
Kudio type of Bochio, also called “guardians” are thin pole-like figures. They
function as a sort of “lightning conductor” , as the figure is meant to be a substitute for
the living person. The figure must attract evil forces and so spare its owner(s).
The patina of oil and blood refers to the fact that this bochio protected a shrine as only
Vodun priests may use that kind of offerings.
Provenance: 19th to early 20th century, Fon people, Republic of Benin, collected by Ann De Pauw and Luc Huysveld