A reserve price is the minimum price the seller will accept. This price is hidden from bidders. To win, a bidder must have the highest bid and have met or exceeded the reserve price.
Baule Spirit Statue Couple Figure OLD African Statues
An Sublime Baule Baoule Spirit Couple, Trance Diviner's Figures Rare Original Pair Antique African Art - Tribal Sculpture Fetish Statues - Cote d'Ivoire
Collected from the: Baule Baoule peoples of Cote d'Ivoire region of West Africa Period: Very early 20th century Dimensions: Male: 12.5" height, 3.25" width, 3.5" depth. Female: 12.5" height, 3.25" width, 3.5" depth. Weight: Male: 1.08 Female: 1.02 or 2.10 pounds combined Condition: Exceptional. From a private Houston collection, the condition of this exquisite pair remains unchanged from the time of their original late 1940's acquisition. Superb signs of age, wear, ritual libations and frequent handling/rubbing indicative of extensive tribal use; tool marks, ever-so-slightly musty odor and surface condition are appropriate for the early period. Minute age cracks and minor knot hole loss to base test stable, exposed wood presents significant patination. Make special note of the surface condition, serene facial expressions and the beautifully burnished skin oil patina along the high points of forehead, ears, nose, mouth, beard knob, outer shoulders and arms, buttocks, outer legs and base. Surface and recesses display the anticipated accumulated residue of daily life along with fine encrustation of millet/egg ritual libations. Age, handling, wear and ritual "body rub" oiling culminated in a glorious patina that accentuates the elaborate coiffures and fine facial features of this spectacular set !
Please click on the photos below to fully appreciate this important old pair!
And be sure to see the fascinating AFRICAN FIGURES in our eBay store!
Baule Baoule Figures Blolo Spirit Statue Sculptures: The Baule of the central Cote d'Ivoire region of West Africa are renowned for their figurative sculptures. These carvings represent two distinctly different types of wooden people or "person in wood" (waka san); bush spirits (asie usu) who live in nature outside the human settlement act as intermediaries to the spirit world, or Other World spirit mates (blolo) who reveal themselves through dreams. The term "mate" has been found to be more appropriate than the earlier reference to "spouse" as the Baule do not consider themselves married to these other world people and view them more as a mate or lover. The blolo are brought down or created through skilled divination and consultations with the "real-world" human, then expertly carved into statuettes that conform to the Baule vision of physical aesthetics. The Blolo statues are treated as honored guests, given a special place or area of residence, and offered sacrifices of money, food, and libation that usually consisted of chicken blood and/or eggs. Surfaces may exhibit signs of sacrificial libations or a deep oily patina from being rubbed on the owner's skin. One night of the week is reserved to be spent alone with the blolo to receive and mate with this "person" through dream visitations. Pairs of sculptures often have males that are smaller than the females ~ this may allude to the female bush spirit that guides and protects its human partner who is male. Alternatively it may refer to woman's greater spiritual power. Ravenhill notes that male statues outnumber female statues by at least five to one. Matched couples were utilized by trance diviners and are therefore scarce.
Baule Baoule Tribal History "The Baule represent one of the most important tribes of the Cote d'Ivoire. Their name is testimony to their birth ~ according to legend, Queen Aba Pokou led her people on an exodus towards the gold mining areas during the 18th century and had to cross a river where she was obliged to sacrifice her oldest son to the river god, thus giving her people the name Bauli, "the son is dead." During the 19th century, the queendom disintegrated due to internal conflicts and by the beginning of the 20th century, when the French colonials arrived, they found only a network of villages, headed by councils of venerated men.", according to Bacquart. The Baule are known for their figurative carvings of statues and masks, along with their figurative decoration of everyday objects such as doors, boxes, heddle pulleys, drum tappers, and gold and bronzes pendants and jewelry designs which clearly display a strong influence from their Akan ancestry.
Multiple purchases = SUBSTANTIAL savings on your shipping costs!
Never a charge for handling!
Important Note: UPS and USPS International request a daytime phone number for delivery, PLEASE be sure to include this information with your payment to ensure expedited service.
Dimensional weight domestic rates include tracking or free Delivery Confirmation. USPS insurance is optional and highly recommended. We gladly combine shipping for multiple purchases to reduce your costs - simply email us with your Zip or Postal Code for a combined invoice, PRIOR to making payment.
We Offer a Variety of Payment Methods to Meet YOUR Needs !
PayPal and all major credit cards are gladly accepted. Payment is expected within 7 days of your purchase. In consideration of discounts given, we respectfully request immediate payment on all Best Offers unless arrangements are made prior to acceptance. Please contact us directly if other payment arrangements are necessary - we're always happy to help!
Your Satisfaction is 100% Guaranteed !!!
Please contact us immediately if ~ for any reason ~ you are not pleased with your selection. We will gladly refund the purchase price of any item returned in its original condition within 14 days of dated delivery. Our commitment to 5 Star customer service and satisfaction ensures that YOUR satisfaction is Unconditionally Guaranteed ~ NO questions asked!
*The estimated delivery time is based on the seller's handling time, the shipping service selected, and when the seller receives cleared payment. Sellers are not responsible for shipping service transit times. Transit times may vary, particularly during peak periods.
Please contact us immediately if ~ for any reason ~ you are not pleased with your selection. We will gladly refund the purchase price of any item returned in its original condition within 14 days of dated delivery. Our commitment to 5 Star customer service and satisfaction ensures that YOUR satisfaction is Unconditionally Guaranteed ~ NO questions asked!
The buyer is responsible for return shipping costs.
We're delighted to combine shipments and reduce your costs, simply email your Zip/Postal Code PRIOR to making payment. All major credit cards and PayPal are gladly accepted. Payment is expected within 7 days of your purchase. In consideration of discounts given, we respectfully request immediate payment on all Best Offers unless arrangements are made prior to acceptance. Please contact us directly if other payment arrangements are necessary - we're always happy to help!
Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.
Back to home page
) 
Santa Fe African Art
Print
Report item
and your 