Initiation Chair, Dan, Republic Of Ivory Coast, End Of 19th Century, Beginning Of 20th Century

Initiation chair, Dan, Republic of Ivory Coast Elegant and understated, this initiation chair is a testament to refined artistic know-how. Its rectangular seat rests on four sculpted legs, while its arched backrest, shaped from a curved branch, gives the whole a graceful and balanced silhouette. The finely engraved circular decoration highlights the harmony of its lines. The honey and brown patina, enriched by time, reveals the softness of the wood and the subtle traces of ancestral use. Small crack on the backrest and one of the legs. Dan, Republic of Ivory Coast. Dimensions: 31 x 47 x 25 cm Provenance: Former Dufourcq Bideau collection, Pau, formed in the 70s/80s, after succession. Sold with certificate of authenticity from the expert Serge Reynes. Guarantee of origin and period. * Shipping costs on estimate. Role of the chair in initiation ceremonies "Among the Dan people, the initiation of young girls marks an essential passage towards adulthood. These ceremonies, organized away from the village, lasted several weeks, even several months, and included fundamental teachings on community life, moral values, knowledge of traditions and future responsibilities". The initiation chair occupied a central place in these rituals. Intended for initiates, it was used during moments of oral transmission, when the elders taught them ancestral knowledge. Sitting on these seats, the young girls listened to the founding stories of the group, learned sacred songs and participated in purification rites. The chair was also used during phases of meditation and introspection, symbolizing stability and anchoring in Dan culture. Each seat was considered a personal object, accompanying the young girl until the end of her initiation. At the end of the cycle, she was recognized as an accomplished member of the community, ready to take on her new roles. More than just a piece of furniture, this chair embodied the transformation and continuity of traditions