Baule Standing Male Figure Blolo Bian Spirit Spouse Start Price USD 450.00 Current Price USD 450.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, November 20, 2008 End Time Saturday, December 20, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Baule Standing Male Figure Blolo Bian Spirit Spouse' Description Baule Stanging Male Figure Blolo Bian Spirit Spouse Type of Object: Carving, sculptureEthnic Group: BauleCountry of Origin: Cote d'IvoireMaterials: Wood, pigment,encrusted material, vegetal fiberApproximate Age: Mid 20th centuryDimensions: 21.5 inches Tall Overall Condition: Used Damage, Repair: Old cracks in the head, along the left leg, and in the base . Missing section of base. Additional Information: This standing male figure has special sculptural composition with its elongated fine face enhanced by the elaborate coiffure and a stylized neck in relief to the back. It has an encrusted brown patina. The figure wears a cache-sex and presents its hands in a gesture of giving or begging. Baule figurative statuary is some of the best known and most collected. Finely carved male and female figures ranging is size from 20 to 60 centimeters are generally portrayed in a standing position of formal calmness with arms close to the body and hands resting on the abdomen. Attention is focused upon the head with emphasis given to detailed face and neck scarification and elaborate coiffure. Figures are often enhanced through the addition of gold leaf or by jewelry. Baule figure sculptures fall into two categories, the first represents spirits of the wild (asie usu) that live in the bush beyond village boundaries and the second are male and female figures that represent ‘spirit world’ spouses for their owners. Our piece belongs to this category.‘Other world spouses’, are kept in personal shrines where offerings are made to them and where they are close by their real world spouse. The figures reflect Baule ideals of beauty and aesthetics as the female (blolo bla) and male (blolo bian) figures exhibit youthful, well formed bodies and with much attention to details of hair and scarification as well as being dressed in what is considered fashionable and in recent times in European style clothing. The well-carved figures are burnished to a dark glossy patina from much handling when being treated with the respect due an ‘other world spouse’. Recommended Reading: Vogel's BAULE-AFRICAN ART WESTERN EYES. This book has a wonderful, lengthy description of the rare Blolo Bla and Blolo ban figures. I examined this piece and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, Ph.D. **033020** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. Place a Bid!