20th century, Ivory Coast, Africa, abstractly carved protective warrior figure, wood with  metal eyes, 60 x 9 in., on iron base

Note: According to Albert F. Gordon, "This abstract figure of a warrior would be kept either in the priest's hut of the secret society, or in the center of the compound during ritual observances.  Under the ritual guidance of the village chief, the society's members would pay their respect to the figure's powers by bringing libations and fetish materials.  In addition to being a guardian spirit, it was believed to possess divination powers. The planed concave face with round metal eyes contrasts sharply with other Senufo ceremonial sculptures which are usually very naturalistic "