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This beautifully-carved figure of a bearded male was made by the Baule, and was intended to be a spirit husband, or Blolo bian. Most unusually, it has been carved from ivory, which was viewed as being at least as expensive as gold if not more so by indigenous West African societies; this has obvious implications for the status of the original owner. He is depicted seated upon a high stool – itself an unusual finding – with high right hand on his side and his left thoughtfully stroking his beard. He is naked save for a loincloth and bracelets/armlets/anklets. The face is serene and perhaps somewhat melancholy, and carved in the traditional style with arched brows, closed eyes, a long nose and a downturned mouth; he is scarred once on his right cheek. His hair is excessively ornate, gathered into two pennate bunches that are stacked one atop the other. His beard is long and reaches his navel. He is probably well-to-do, judging from the aforementioned status-linked issues (hair, age, stool, jewellery etc), and the fact that he has a slight paunch, denoting a plentiful diet. The ivory is patinated and variegated, and has a lovely tone.
The Baule live across the Ivory Coast area, and have an economy based primarily on sedentary agriculturism. They have thus been able to build up a considerable political and economic stronghold, which has in turn given rise to a strong ritual and artistic heritage. Their own creation story relates to an ancient migration, in which the queen was forced to sacrifice her son in order to ford a mighty river. So upset was she that all she could say was “baouli” (“the child is dead”), thus giving rise to the tribe’s name.
Upon reaching one’s majority – and particularly during a crisis of some sort - many Baule citizens enlist the help of their otherworld spouse, a perfect partner who is linked to them and who can help them in adversity. The identity of their spouse is ascertained through divination, following which a figure representing the partner will be carved and blessed. Females have a Blolo Bian figure, males a Blolo Bla. The real-life spouse will then spend considerable time with the carving – generally one night a week – in the hope that supernatural assistance will be forthcoming. The Baule are also renowned for sculptures representing bush spirits (Asie usu) – mischievous and potentially malevolent inhabitants of the “bush”, or dark country beyond the boundary of the village – as well as dance masks, prestige items (often made of gold) and a range of highly decorated secular objects such as doors, heddle pulleys and culinary equipment.
The fact that many such pieces have a centuries-old patina from handling and libations would seem to suggest that pieces can be inherited, and that the sculptures can either contain more than one spouse, or that s/he can be replaced by the spouse of the new owner. This is particularly the case with valuable or very well-carved pieces. Like most other human societies, the Baule are prey to conspicuous consumption, which is a central key to asserting one’s status in the village, and thus one’s power and influence. While their carving is among the most refined and restrained in Africa, therefore, artists vie to produce more impressive and beautiful carvings which are often decorated or adorned by their proud owners.
The iconography of this piece is indicative. It represents a mature man with a full beard, rather than the somewhat younger female statues that are usually carved for men. The scarification may represent a specific village or area, but more likely reflect status within village society. He is also rather plump, which has been a marker of wealth for as long as humans have created artworks. It is probable that this perfect husband represents a rich older man with high social status, the perfect “partner” for an aspiring younger woman. This is a beautifully rendered piece of Baule art.
- (PF.3986 (LSO))
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