How to present an African sculpture

Creating a custom display for your Kota sculptures

African Kota on a custom black steel base

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

Kota art is an ancestral African art form 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 recurring communication between the living and the dead.

From a stylistic point of view, according to experts, there are about 15 different representations of Kota. Kota reliquaries are stylized representations of the human being.
Disproportionate head, often arched legs, no mouth, but round, prominent eyes. The decorative motifs present on the Kota are signs related 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, for the Gabonese people, a sign of wealth.

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

At that time, Western art gradually opened up to so-called primitive arts. This was the era when the works of Aboriginal peoples and Japanese works were discovered.
African art fascinated 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 sculptures began to appear in art galleries.
For the first time, these ritual objects were considered works of art in their own right.

Today, many Parisian art galleries specialize in African works of art.
That's why we are very regularly asked to create bases for African masks, spears, and of course Kota sculptures.
For most of them, we create custom bases.
Each work is different and requires a perfectly adapted base.

Custom steel display for African masks

Custom base for Kota (object not included)

Our work in creating a custom base is to adapt as best as possible to the work presented to us. For an African Kota, the biggest difficulty lies in the diamond shape that the stylized legs of the figure often form.

We therefore had to create a base that supports the object under the arms, and for optimum support, we created a zigzag structure that sits on the base.

The custom base can be made of either steel or brass.

Kota sculptures can take on different forms. That's why we are obliged to create custom bases. It is impossible to create a standard base.

By visiting our workshop store, you choose the shape of your base, its color, and its material.

In this custom base example, we have combined wood and steel.

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

Custom steel and wood base (object not included)

Custom steel and wood base (with objects)

Custom bases for African objects.

Over time, we have developed a range of exclusive display stands at La Bulle.
Specifically designed in our workshops, this display for African masks is available.
for online sale.
Get this mask that will perfectly showcase your masks.
This mask stand is a good alternative to wall mounting.
Several sizes exist for this black steel display.

Access online store

For a few weeks, we have developed a new display for masks, such as African masks. Discover our new steel display for masks.

You just have to place your mask, preferably made of wood, directly on the two spikes, adjust the inclination, and you're done.

To order this product, nothing could be simpler, go to our online store

mask section or click here 👇🏻

I buy a spiked display for mask

In any case, whether you choose the custom display or the standard display, presenting these works or simple objects gives them a higher dimension. Using displays for interior decoration and shop windows brightens life.

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

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