Title:
Male Figure
Object Name:
Figure, Male
Other Name:
Figure, Male, Fetish, Standing
Place of Origin:
Baoule, Ivory Coast, Africa
Provenance:
Aboriginal Indigenous Art.
H = 17"
W = 4"
D = 4"
Spirit Spouse or Diviner's.
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 = 17"
W = 4"
D = 4"
Spirit Spouse or Diviner's.
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 male figure with oval—shaped head with pointed chin, oval—shaped mouth exposing teeth with white center. White geographic designs on cheeks, large almond—shaped eyes, heavy eyebrows. Large forehead with tiered combed headdress, small ears, cylindrical neck, white glass beads around shoulders and neck. Bent arms carved close to body, small breasts, long cylindrical body, blue cloth with floral pattern on short skirt, legs with heavy calves. Wide feet with toes, standing on circular base, brown patina over entire surface.
Collection:
Finley Collection
Material:
Wood W/Patina, Beads and Cloth
Used:
Ritually Used
Technique:
Carving / Painting
Owned:
Art Department, Missouri Southern State University
Accession#:
2014.1.59
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Front View
Right Side View
Left Side View
Rear View
Front View
Right Side View
Left Side View
Rear View