58. FON FIGURE, REPUBLIC OF BENIN bocio wood, rope, mirror, gourds, metal, glass, cowries, beads, cloth, clay, sacrificial patina Height 45 cm Provenance Anne & Jacques Kerchache, Paris Literature Kerchache, J. et al, Vaudou, Paris, 2011, p.18, pp.164-165, p.205, fig.6, and p.224, fig.9 Bassani, E., and Pezzoli, G., Ex Africa, Storie e identità di un'arte universale, Milan, 2019, p.314, fig.3, for an in situ photograph of the figure in the hands of a voodun priest, circa 1966/7 (reproduced here) Exhibited Paris, Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain, Vaudou, Paris, 5 April - 25 September 2011 In his explanation of the function of this lot Gabin Djimassé, writes: "This male bocio carved in wood carries a variety of miscellaneous objects: cowries on a string, strands of beads, metallic objects called goudjoudjo (scrap iron) in Fongbe, a mirror, corks, flasks, fabric, sacrificial elements, kneaded clay. This is a composition intended for consultations, with the mirror being the object most used in such procedures. By looking into the mirror attached to the wooden sculpture, the visionary user seeks to read the past, present or future for his client. The other visible elements and the contents of the flask often come into play when performing the rituals associated with visions. This work represents in itself all the spirits of the former visionaries who once occupied the premises and have now passed away". (Kerchache, J. et al, Vaudou, Paris, 2011, p.204) Patrick Vilaire, in the same work, states: "This is the fetisher, with his half-closed eyes, his arrogant lips. He has his corded fetish with him. His accessories define his function and he has them all: sacred object, bottles, javelin heads, a mirror, with everything tied together by a symbolic belt of power. His arms have not been carved out, but merged into the body. In this way, the artist draws attention to the power of the fetisher. In Haiti this would be the bokor. Just as with the Haitian Vodun paquet, the mirror creates the connection between spirit and devotee". (op.cit., p.224) To be sold without reserve