Ivory Coast’s Dan culture is especially known for its masks. Anthropomorphic figures such as the present are relatively rare. Known locally as lu me, such wooden statues did not represent ancestors or sprits. A chief or important man would commission the work from a talented sculptor and they are therefor sometimes interpreted as portraits. As Dan sculptors considered the ability to carve such a complex object a rare gift, they were deemed very prestigious. Such statues were only taken out by their owner when distinguished guests were expected. One wanted to impress others with such possessions and ownership of this statue must have been an important status symbol. Lu me figures adhere to the Dan ideas of beauty and are naturalistically proportioned. Scarification designs are commonly carved on the torso, while a vertical line is carved in relief in the middle of the forehead. Both motifs functioned as traditional markers of the Dan identity. Mirroring a local beauty custom, a horizontal band of white kaolin is put around the vertical slit eyes. The rings around the elongated neck are an exaggeration of actual neck creases and indicated the prosperity of the depicted individual. For the Dan a neck with rings was a sign of beauty as it suggested wealth and high status. By displaying such a prestigious figure in his private home, the chiefly owner would have distinguished himself from his peers.