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Baule Blolo Bla Figure Other World Mate Statue Antique African Art - Tribal Sculpture - Cote d'Ivoire
A Beautiful Old Baule Baoule Blolo Bla Figure Other World Mate Statue Antique African Art - Tribal Sculpture - Cote d'Ivoire
Collected from the: Baule Baoule peoples of Cote d'Ivoire region of West Africa Material: Carved wood, seed beads, woven cloth, pigment, skin oil Period: Late 19th to early 20th century Dimensions: 15.25" height, 3.25" width, 3.5" depth; weight is 1.05 pounds Condition: Excellent. Held in private collection, the condition of this exquisite figure remains unchanged from the time of its original 1950's acquisition. Exquisite signs of age, wear, ritual libations and extensive tribal use, tool marks and surface condition are appropriate for the earlier period. Make special note of the surface condition, beaded collar and waist beads supporting the woven loin clothe. Age, handling, wear and ritual oiling culminated in a glorious patina that accentuates the serenity of this gorgeous carving. Recesses display the anticipated residue of daily life along with remnants of ritual libations - a very special treasure to behold !
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Baule Baoule Blolo Figures Other World Spirit Mate Sculptures The Baule 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 central Cote d'Ivoire region of West Africa. 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.
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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 are 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!
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