Tall carved wooden effigy of a classic Mbra Monkey statue , a Shrine sculpture that are also referred to as Gberke. This sculpture features the monkey with hands in gesture of offering with a piece of corn.Well weathered encrusted patina. Baule peoples, Cote D'Ivoire, West Africa. Measures 26 inches tall.*Statues of standing monkeys were used in many different Baule cults, the most prominent of which was Mbra. According to the Baule any man, woman, or child may be possessed by either of two kinds of powers: bush spirits, called asye usu, of which great numbers wander about in nature ; and Mbra, an ancient amuin (in other words a god), given to the Baule by the Creator, which can remain attached to certain families over generations. Both supernatural powers send their human partners into trance states and there are similar beliefs about both. At least one substantial figure sculpture (usually more) should be created as an abode for the spirit or god, and this and the figure's numerous accessories make asye usu and Mbra cults the focus of much Baule art.

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