Among the Baule on the Ivory Coast every adult has a 'spirit spouse', who lives in the afterlife, in the ‘bush’ or in the world of the spirits. The Baule could communicate with them, they could be asked for advice in daily life. Male ‘spirit spouses’ (for women) are called ‘Blolo Bian’, the female ones (for men) are called ‘Blolo Bla’. The present ‘Blolo Bian’ figure is especially fine and carefully crafted. Carved in hard, brown wood and dyed black. With a hairstyle of delicate, parallel lines, middle parting and a rolled plait at the back. In the typical Baule face, the man has scarification marks above and on the forehead, as well as on both temples. He also has equally typical scarification marks on his stomach and back, beneath the emphasised shoulder blades. The goatee is plaited and terminates in a round sphere. The arms are freely carved and the ‘Blolo Bian’ sits on a typical Baule stool. A perfect, old piece, with good patina (with colour scuffing) and especially well executed: from the hairstyle to the carved finger and toe nails. A small, visibly old loss to the stool, behind at the left. Otherwise no damage. H: 34 cm. First third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: According to the consignor, the present piece was acquired from the collection of Jan Visser, Holland. Currently: Austrian Private Collection.

Lit.: 'Baule. African Art - Western Eyes' by Susan M. Vogel, fig. p. 241, 264, 291, 292.