Baule, Ivory Coast: An extraordinary, masterfully crafted figure of a ‘spirit spouse’, called ‘blolo bian’.
Baule, Ivory Coast: An extraordinary, masterfully crafted figure of a ‘spirit spouse’, called ‘blolo bian’.
A standing figure of a male ‘spirit spouse’, called ‘blolo bian’ (for a more detailed explanation cf. cat. no. 38) carved in extremely fine detail. Made of hard wood, coloured black and brown. Executed in perfect Baule style, featuring an exquisitely carved, complicated ‘plaited’ hairstyle with a short and a long braid on the back, a serious expression and a short goatee as well as the typical tribal scarification marks on the forehead and temples. Further tattoos on the neck and abdomen, loins and back. Carved out from the same piece are the ornamental bangles on the upper arms and under the knees. On each ankle an ornamental bangle made of iron and a chain of small glass pearls on the right foot. Overall a magnificent piece by a master of the Baule people. Rare in this quality: noteworthy is the detailed execution of the fingers and toes! With good usage patina (colour scuffed in all relief areas) and only minor age damage (to the round plinth and minor tears). First half of the 20th century; H: 38.5 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Belgian Private Collection; Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Baule. African Art - Western Eyes’ by Susan M. Vogel, ill. p. 291, 292.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 10,000.- to EUR 12,000.-
Baule, Ivory Coast: An extraordinary, masterfully crafted figure of a ‘spirit spouse’, called ‘blolo bian’.
A standing figure of a male ‘spirit spouse’, called ‘blolo bian’ (for a more detailed explanation cf. cat. no. 38) carved in extremely fine detail. Made of hard wood, coloured black and brown. Executed in perfect Baule style, featuring an exquisitely carved, complicated ‘plaited’ hairstyle with a short and a long braid on the back, a serious expression and a short goatee as well as the typical tribal scarification marks on the forehead and temples. Further tattoos on the neck and abdomen, loins and back. Carved out from the same piece are the ornamental bangles on the upper arms and under the knees. On each ankle an ornamental bangle made of iron and a chain of small glass pearls on the right foot. Overall a magnificent piece by a master of the Baule people. Rare in this quality: noteworthy is the detailed execution of the fingers and toes! With good usage patina (colour scuffed in all relief areas) and only minor age damage (to the round plinth and minor tears). First half of the 20th century; H: 38.5 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Belgian Private Collection; Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Baule. African Art - Western Eyes’ by Susan M. Vogel, ill. p. 291, 292.
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: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |