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Bruce Frank Primitive Art
New York City, NY
+1 917 733 9589

Three Ariza/Aziza Figures

Adan, Liberia
Early to mid 20th c

Provenance: Old American collection

These strange yet somehow very appealing figures were made by the Adan people of south-east Ghana. They are made of medium density wood and have a dusting of white kaolin powder.  They are thought to represent miniature forest dwellers, and according to French ethnographer Albert de Surgy, Ariza figures represent God’s of the bush and forest as well as of magic plants.  Statues which have one arm and leg, are in reference to trees, which only have one stem.  The other two examples offered here are of “normal” looking people carved with two arms and legs they represent the “hearts of the victims of magic practices or the traps of the bush”. In general, these figures help and protect humans during farming and hunting.

Heights: 8 in, 6 ¾ in and 6 ½ in.

Three Ariza/Aziza Figures

Adan, Liberia
Early to mid 20th c

Provenance: Old American collection

These strange yet somehow very appealing figures were made by the Adan people of south-east Ghana. They are made of medium density wood and have a dusting of white kaolin powder.  They are thought to represent miniature forest dwellers, and according to French ethnographer Albert de Surgy, Ariza figures represent God’s of the bush and forest as well as of magic plants.  Statues which have one arm and leg, are in reference to trees, which only have one stem.  The other two examples offered here are of “normal” looking people carved with two arms and legs they represent the “hearts of the victims of magic practices or the traps of the bush”. In general, these figures help and protect humans during farming and hunting.

Heights: 8 in, 6 ¾ in and 6 ½ in.

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