Extremely rare! BAULE BO ÚSU statuette, Ivory Coast, mid 20th century

Discover the mystical power of the Bo úsu, an extremely rare portal to the spiritual world of the Baule people of Central Ivory Coast. While many Baule artworks strive for a polished, idealized human beauty, this power figure is raw, functional, and saturated with decades of ritual energy.

During the mid-20th century, this statuette was used intensively by a komien (trance diviner). The Bo úsu represents a spirit of the untamed wilderness. In ceremonial contexts, the object functioned as a metaphysical interface: the spirit was invoked to possess the komien, who then acted as a medium to provide guidance on the pressing concerns of their clients.

The physical condition of this piece testifies to an active ritual history. The thick, encrusted patina is the result of repeated offerings and libations. Most notable is the 'charge' on the abdomen—a concentrated mass of sacred substances designed to anchor and activate the spirit’s potency. The copper rings at the neck and the diminutive size made this a powerful, portable tool for the diviner.

● Type: Bo úsu (Nature spirit / Bush spirit) ● Origin: Baule, Ivory Coast ● Dating: Mid-20th century (ca. 1940-1950) ● Height: 14.5 cm ● Features: Authentic, thick sacrificial patina and ritual 'charge' on the belly ● Provenance: Ex-collection Mr. Joris, Ghent (Belgium) ● Status: Museum quality, with significant signs of tribal use

A singular acquisition for the collector seeking the authentic essence of West African spiritual practice and the 'aesthetic of power'.