Baule, Ivory Coast: a standing female figure of a ‘spirit spouse’, called ‘blolo bla’.
The Baule people believe that every married man and every married woman has their own spiritual partner in the ‘other world’ (in the afterlife, in the ‘bush’, or in the world of spirits). These are called ‘blolo bian’ (male) and ‘blolo bla’ (female).
With these ‘spirit spouses’ in the shape of such figures it is possible to communicate, discuss concerns and problems of daily life, and ask them for advice. The ‘blolo bla’ figure offered here is carved in typical Baule style of hard, light-coloured wood, and coloured black. It stands on a round plinth with relief carving, wears a carefully and finely lined hairstyle with a central crest and the correct, typical tribal scarification marks on the face, neck, chest and abdomen as well as on the back. A minor crack to the head and back, as well as a fracture to the right foot and plinth (old insect damage?). An old piece with good, old patina.
Height: 37 cm. Late 19th century to first third of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Baule. African Art - Western Eyes’ by Susan M. Vogel, ill. p. 41, 250, 251, 263, 267.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
06.04.2017 - 15:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 2,000.-
Baule, Ivory Coast: a standing female figure of a ‘spirit spouse’, called ‘blolo bla’.
The Baule people believe that every married man and every married woman has their own spiritual partner in the ‘other world’ (in the afterlife, in the ‘bush’, or in the world of spirits). These are called ‘blolo bian’ (male) and ‘blolo bla’ (female).
With these ‘spirit spouses’ in the shape of such figures it is possible to communicate, discuss concerns and problems of daily life, and ask them for advice. The ‘blolo bla’ figure offered here is carved in typical Baule style of hard, light-coloured wood, and coloured black. It stands on a round plinth with relief carving, wears a carefully and finely lined hairstyle with a central crest and the correct, typical tribal scarification marks on the face, neck, chest and abdomen as well as on the back. A minor crack to the head and back, as well as a fracture to the right foot and plinth (old insect damage?). An old piece with good, old patina.
Height: 37 cm. Late 19th century to first third of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Baule. African Art - Western Eyes’ by Susan M. Vogel, ill. p. 41, 250, 251, 263, 267.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 06.04.2017 - 15:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 01.04. - 06.04.2017 |