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African & Tribal Art :
Baule Sculptures : Baule Wooden Blolo Bla Sculpture
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Baule Wooden Blolo Bla Sculpture - PF.4536
Origin: Central Ivory Coast
Circa: 20
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
16.5" (41.9cm) high
x 3.875" (9.8cm) wide
Collection: African
Medium: Wood
$3,000.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
In the early part of the 20th Century, Baule
statues reached Europe and caused a stir in the
art world. The innovative artists of the time--
Picasso, Vlaminck, Brancusi, who were already
deep in the throes of their own artistic
revolution--felt an immediate and profound
appreciation for the refinement and economy of
line and form typified by Baule statues. The
influence of one on the other is clearly visible,
and constitutes one of the most interesting
periods in modern art history.
Baule figures fall into two categories: the
spiritual spouse and representations of nature
spirits. This very fine statue belongs to the first
category. It is believed that every Baule, male or
female, has a spouse in the spirit world, whom
she or he has left behind in order to join the
living. If the spirit spouse torments the living
partner, a statue is carved as an offering of
appeasement. If successful the troubled spirit
will return to her own realm in peace. The figure
may also represent a living woman who hopes to
become fertile, expecting the beauty of the
statue--with its ritual scarification, beautiful
coiffure and delicate features--to intercede for
her in the spirit world. Her calm and peaceful
expression, with her eyes just slightly parted
gives a languorous feeling of well-being, often
seen in women enjoying the marvels of
motherhood.
- (PF.4536)
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