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African & Tribal Art :
Baule Sculptures : Baule Sculpture of a Mother and Child
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Baule Sculpture of a Mother and Child - PF.3571
Origin: Central Ivory Coast
Circa: 20
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
16.25" (41.3cm) high
x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide
Collection: African
Medium: Wood
$4,800.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
One of the Akan peoples who inhabited an area
of southern Ghana, the Baule probably migrated
west to their present home in the Ivory Coast
more than two hundred years ago. Baule figural
sculpture is distinctive for its graceful beauty and
the virtuosity of its carving. Baule figures
function in two principle ways: as the adobe of a
nature spirit before whom sacrifices are made, or
as a representation of one's spouse in the spirit
world, whose image must be enshrined and
attended.
This skillfully carved and polished wooden
sculpture glows with its beauty and grace.
Depicting an image of a standing female figure
nursing a baby, the sculptural attributes of the
figure denote the important idea of fertility,
birth, and life. Her soft, oval-shaped face,
neatly arranged hair, and her gentle facial
features bring her feminine beauty alive. The
soft curves of her body and her breasts also
accentuate her life-giving motherhood. In
Ancient Africa, the concept of life was
considered very crucial and was cherished. Many
rituals' and ceremonies' themes revolved around
the idea and figures of mother-goddess often
appear in their art. Possibly enshrined for ritual
purposes, this beautiful sculpture was maybe
used in wishing for fertility. Decorated with
intricate representation of scarification marks,
this figure is a fine example of graceful Baule
sculpture.
- (PF.3571)
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