Title:
Baoule Standing Female Statue
Object Name:
Figure, Standing, Female
Other Name:
Figure, Female, Fetish
Place of Origin:
Baoule, Ivory Coast, Africa
Provenance:
Aboriginal Indigenous Art.
H = 30"
W = 8"
D = 6"
Baule art is sophisticated and stylistically diverse. Non—inherited, the sculptor’s profession is the result of a personal choice. The Baule have types of sculpture that none of the other Akan peoples possess. Wooden sculptures and masks allow a closer contact with the supernatural world. Baule statues are usually standing on a base with legs slightly bent, with their hands resting on their abdomen in a gesture of peace, and their elongated necks supporting a face with typically raised scarification and bulging eyes. The coiffure is always very detailed and is usually divided into plaits. Baule figures answer to two types of devotion: one depicts the “spiritual” spouse who, in order to be appeased, requires the creation of a shrine in the personal hut of the individual. A man will own his spouse, the blolo bian, and a woman her spouse, the blolo bla. The Baule believe that before they were born into the world they existed in a spirit world, where each one had a mate. Sometimes that spirit mate becomes jealous of their earthly mate and causes marital discord. When this happens, a figure depicting the other world spouse is carved and placated with earthly signs of attention.
H = 30"
W = 8"
D = 6"
Baule art is sophisticated and stylistically diverse. Non—inherited, the sculptor’s profession is the result of a personal choice. The Baule have types of sculpture that none of the other Akan peoples possess. Wooden sculptures and masks allow a closer contact with the supernatural world. Baule statues are usually standing on a base with legs slightly bent, with their hands resting on their abdomen in a gesture of peace, and their elongated necks supporting a face with typically raised scarification and bulging eyes. The coiffure is always very detailed and is usually divided into plaits. Baule figures answer to two types of devotion: one depicts the “spiritual” spouse who, in order to be appeased, requires the creation of a shrine in the personal hut of the individual. A man will own his spouse, the blolo bian, and a woman her spouse, the blolo bla. The Baule believe that before they were born into the world they existed in a spirit world, where each one had a mate. Sometimes that spirit mate becomes jealous of their earthly mate and causes marital discord. When this happens, a figure depicting the other world spouse is carved and placated with earthly signs of attention.
Description:
Standing female figure with oval—shaped head, pointed oval—shaped eyes in concave face under M—shaped brow, leading into wedge—shaped nose. Large mouth with protruding lips exposing teeth. Large crescent—shaped ears, with large metal hoop—shaped earrings. Large pointed three part grooved coiffure, above rounded forehead. Cylindrical neck, rectangular three row beaded necklace around neck. Upside down V—shaped scarification marks over each breast. Long rectangular scarification marks running down central abdoman area. Bent arms carved away from body, coming to rest on lower stomach area, with carved finger grooves. Small breasts, long cylindrical body, with red / black cloth skirt and woven grass rope around waist. Cylindrical legs with four carved rows on each lower ankle, with hoop—shaped metal anklet on each ankle. Wide round feet with toe grooves. Dark brown patina over entire surface.
Collection:
Guy Mace Collection, (Turblex Company)
Material:
Wood W/Patina, Metal, Woven Grass, Beads and Cloth
Used:
Ritually Used
Technique:
Carving / Painting / Weaving / Metal, Bead and Cloth Work
Owned:
Art Department, Missouri Southern State University
Accession#:
2015.2.38
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Front View
Front View - 2
Front View - 3
Front View - 4
Right Side View
Left Side View
Back View
Back View - 2
Back View - 3
Front View
Front View - 2
Front View - 3
Front View - 4
Right Side View
Left Side View
Back View
Back View - 2
Back View - 3