West Africa, Ivory Coast, Colonial Period, early to mid-20th century CE. A pair of nearly life-sized wooden colonial era statues depicting African people dressed in European clothing to portray "Europeanized" people. These statues are known as Colon statues, the French word for colonist. These eye-catching figures are painted in hues of blue, brown, red, yellow, white and black. The man is wearing a dapper suit and tie complete with a pocket square, with a white pith helmet and cane. The woman is slender and dressed in shorts, sleeveless shirt, and white cap. These figures are often viewed as examples of how African people were considered uncivilized by European colonists, however, these statues may have also arisen as new form of folk art in West Africa as caricatures of the European officials or simply depictions of evolving fashion and social classes in traditional formats. This pair exhibits the integral plinths and arms to the side stance that traditional Senufo and Baule cultures tend to favor. An interesting blend of African and European imagery. Size of woman: 11" W x 60" H (27.9 cm x 152.4 cm); man: 16" W x 66.5" H (40.6 cm x 168.9 cm)

Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities, New York, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#164906

Losses and chips to high pointed areas on both, including woman's nose and hat brim as shown. Losses to woman's base. Surface abrasions and chips to man's arm. Old inactive insect holes. Discoloration of pigments, but vibrantly painted. Both stand freely on stable bases.