How to present an African sculpture

Your Kota have their custom-made bases

Creation of a custom display stand to display your Kotas

African Kota on a custom-made black steel base

Here is a new solution for you from La Bulle, this time dedicated to African ritual sculptures called Kota.
For this exceptional and spiritual work of art, we have designed and created a custom-made base.

Kota art is an ancestral African art originating mainly from the northern region of Gabon.
The creation of these small sculptures is a funerary ritual. Indeed, these small sculptures were made to create a recurring communication between the living and the dead.

From a stylistic point of view, according to experts, there are approximately 15 different representations of Kota. Kota reliquaries are stylized representations of human beings.
Disproportionate head, often bowed legs, no mouth, but very round eyes that stand out. The decorative motifs present on the Kota are signs linked to the family organization system or religious beliefs.

Kota sculptures are mostly made of wood. These African sculptures are covered with copper or brass.
The use of these two materials is a sign of wealth for the Gabonese people.

The first Kota were brought to the West at the end of the 19th century.

At this time, Western art gradually opened up to so-called primitive arts. This was the period when we discovered the works of Aboriginal peoples and Japanese works.
African art fascinates artists such as André Breton and the Surrealists.
Very quickly, they built up collections of African art of rare relevance.

In Paris, it was not until the 1930s that Kota began to appear in art galleries.
For the first time, these ritual objects are considered works of art in their own right.

Today, many Parisian art galleries specialize in African works of art.
This is why we are regularly called upon to make bases for African masks, spears, and of course Kota.
For the most part, we create custom bases.
Each work is different and requires a perfectly adapted base.

Custom-made steel display stand for African masks

Custom base for Kota (without the object)

Our work in creating a custom base is to adapt it as closely as possible to the work presented to us. For an African Kota, the greatest difficulty lies in the diamond shape often formed by the character's stylized legs.

It was therefore necessary to create a base that would support the object under the arms and for optimum support we created a zigzag-shaped structure that would be positioned on the base.

The custom-made base can be made either in steel or brass.

Kota can come in many different shapes, which is why we have to create custom bases. It is impossible to create a standard base.

By coming to our workshop shop, you choose the shape of your base, its color as well as its material.

In this example of a custom base we have mixed wood and steel.

Using a square wooden base and placing it on a steel plate elevates the custom base and gives it a slightly more sophisticated look.

Custom-made steel and wood base (without object)

Custom-made steel and wood base (with objects)

Custom-made bases for African objects.

Over time, we have developed a range of displays exclusive to La Bulle.
Specially designed in our workshops, this display stand for African masks is available.
for sale online.
Get this mask that will perfectly highlight your masks.
This mask holder is a good alternative to wall display.
Several sizes are available for this black steel display.

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In any case, whether you choose a custom display or a standard display, presenting these works or simple objects gives them a greater dimension. Using display stands for your interior design, such as your window display, embellishes life.

Send us a message for any additional information or if you would like a quote.