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 and they could be asked for advice on everyday problems. Male ‘spirit spouses’ (for women) are called ‘Blolo Bian’, the female ones (for men) are called ‘Blolo Bla’. The present male figure, a ‘Blolo Bian’, is unusually large. It is carefully crafted from heavy, hard wood and dyed black. Its hairstyle is formed from five crests and is delicately lined. There are perfectly executed, customary tribal scarification marks on the face (exactly where they belong: on the high forehead, on both temples and cheeks, as well as between the accentuated eyebrow arches), on the neck, in a decorative striped pattern over the chest and stomach and on the the back. The rounded goatee is also delicately lined. As is quite typical for the Baule style, the figure has relatively short, bent, sturdy legs with thick calves. The originally round base plate and a large part of the feet have unfortunately broken off (it is evidently an old breakage). Otherwise there are only small, insignificant and age-related damage (two small pieces broken off the hair, on the neck and a minor crack on the back). All in all, this unusually large ‘spirit spouse’ displays a lovely, old shiny patina. Height: 61 cm. First third to half 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
German private collection.

Lit.:
'Baule. African Art - Western Eyes' by Susan M. Vogel, ill. p. 241, 250, 251, 267, 291, 292.