Blo lo bian, BAULE, Ivory Coast, ca 1920

Beautiful Baule, Blo lo bian statue. In the Baule tribe, Western stylistic influences were sometimes adopted in the tribal images. This is also the case with this beautiful statue in which art deco is incorporated. Very refined image with a magnificent appearance! I had a shrinkage crack in the face professionally restored. A beautiful hard wooden base is included.

Length: 44cm
Weight: 889 grams, including base 1463 grams
Origin: Ivory Coast
Dating: ca 1920
Provenance: ex Mr Mangels, Zaltbommel, Netherlands

More information about Baule blo lo bian images:

BAULE BLOLO BIAN

waka sran statues. The Baule believe that in "the other world" called Blolo, all humans were married before birth to a spiritual husband, called Blolo Bian, meaning 'spirit husband', and Blolo Bla, meaning 'spirit wife'. The Baule follow them in their human lives through sculptures of human figures called "waka sran", or 'person in wood'. Baule people carve these figures to represent their spouses from the other world and they believe that these spirits have an influence on their human lives. These spirit figures are meant to serve a single individual and have private shrines in the house dedicated to them. When a Baule person is experiencing some form of anxiety, whether emotional, physical, or spiritual, he or she may consult a shaman or a fortune teller. Divination usually reveals that one's spirit spouse has become jealous or angry and is the cause of such distress. Often the proposed solution is to dedicate a shrine called a tata in which the figure becomes the center and his vengeful spirit can be appeased. The Baule believe that spirit figures can bring good luck in all areas of life. However, it is also believed that any happiness the owner receives reduces the amount of happiness available to everyone. With that in mind, owners keep all personal belongings and sculptures out of sight in closed bedrooms. Although these figures are not considered sacred objects, they were only intended to be used and openly viewed by the individual owner. If the owner chooses to display these sculptures, a furtive glance called 'nian klekle' is the only acceptable way for Baule people to view these sculptures when displayed as art.