Baule seated King figure, African Sculpture

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Baule seated King figure, African Sculpture

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Sold Date: 10/24/2008
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

BAULE OTHER WORLD HUSBAND

male spirit spouse (blolo bian)

Holding an amazing chiefs staff with detailed bird.

Extraordinary elaborate coiffure and typical Baule scarifications on the face, the chest, the belly and the back.

Hand on beard representing the thoughtfulness of a good leader.

I paid hundreds for this and never regretted it. I will start with a crazy, low starting bid and no reserve. I hope he goes to a great home who will appreciate the craftsmanship.

This extrodinary carving (from one single block of wood) is not as old as my other offerings (this probably dates from the last quarter of the 20th century). The surface is a gorgeous glossy worm brown. Kaolin (a clay powder) has been added to the hair. The hair is the most elaborate coiffure I have ever seen in my life. The figure radiates strength, stability and majesty.

The Baule tribe live in the grasslands between the river Bandana and the Nzi. Originally from the Ashanti area they have been in this region for three centuries. The Baule believe that the spirits of those still to be born exist in a state of monogamous marriage in another dimension. A spirit effectively abandons his/her spouse on his/her birth into the world. The bereft spirit spouse may follow their human partner and influence their lives, become jealous and cause problems. Illness, misfortune and a failure to marry are often explained as being due to neglect felt by this spirit. The spirits can help their human partners as well and can spread their goodwill to the children or human spouse of their partner. The influence of a spirit spouse is thought to manifest itself in adolescence or later. To appease the spirit spouse a shrine is established in a corner of the sleeping room were small offerings are placed. In addition a carving may be commissioned which in the case of as woman will be a male spirit spouse (blolo bian) and for a man a female spirit spouse (blolo bla). Reference: BAULE African Art Western Eyes, Susan Vogel.

Size

Height: 21 1/2Ã¢ÂeÂ

Width: 8Ã¢ÂeÂ

Depth: 8Ã¢ÂeÂ

Full refund of sales price if this description is not accurate. Returns must be within 3 days of receiving.

I will be listing several more items soon and will gladly combine shipping when possible.

Just a quick note about me: That is not me in the photo (I have been collecting African art longer than she has been alive). I am selling some of my precious things to help pay her college bills.