Description 

This exceptional pair of Senufo Deblé originates from the traditional Senufo regions stretching across northern Ivory Coast, southern Mali and parts of Burkina Faso. Known as ritual dance pestles, Deblé play a vital role in the ceremonies of the Poro, the central initiatory society that governs Senufo spiritual, social and educational life.

Despite their name, Deblé were not used to pound food. Initiates stomped the earth around them, creating vibrations meant to communicate with ancestors, amplify spiritual energy and mark the rhythm of sacred ceremonies during ritual dances.

Both sculptures exhibit the distinctive Senufo aesthetic: elongated vertical silhouettes, calm spiritual presence, concave stylized faces and hands resting on the hips — a gesture symbolizing inner strength, grounding and mastery.

The sagittal crest refers to the hornbill, a sacred bird believed to act as a messenger between worlds. The deep patina indicates extensive ritual use.

Specifications:

• Female: 6.6 kg – 1.02 m tall – 20 cm wide

• Male: 9.1 kg – 1.33 m tall – 23 cm wide

A complete male–female Deblé pair is particularly rare, as most sets have been separated over time. Together, they embody unity, balance, fertility and the complementary forces of masculine and feminine energies.

Perfect for collectors, galleries, interior designers and enthusiasts of powerful, authentic African sculpture.

Sold together as a pair.

 

Provenance

Private collection ZAMBELLI/BRUGNACCHI, assembled between 1990 and 2023.

Transferred to the Spirit Land of Africa Gallery in 2023.

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