Baule "Blolo Bla" Spirit Spouse Figure, African Art Start Price USD 550.00 Current Price USD 550.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, November 06, 2008 End Time Saturday, December 06, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Baule "Blolo Bla" Spirit Spouse Figure, African Art' Description Title: Baule "Blolo Bla" Spirit Spouse Figure, African ArtType of Object: carving, figureEthnic Group: BauleCountry of Origin: Cote d'IvoireMaterials: Wood, cotton fabric, glass beads, pigment. Approximate Age: Mid 20th centuryDimensions: Height is 18.5 inches. Overall Condition: Fair to Good Damage, Repair: cracks in head, neck, abdomen, and back, wear Additional Information:  A superb figure with encrusted patina. Extremely elaborate hairstyle, glass "button" beads, and porcelain "goomba" beads on ankles. Scarification on cheeks, neck, chest, abdomen, and back. Wood is extremely dense and heavy. Kaolin pigment on lips. For examples and information, see Vogel's "BAULE-AFRICAN ART-WESTERN EYES." This book has a wonderful, lengthy description of the rare Blolo Bla figures. Baule people believe that people are born into the world already married. This spirit spouse has great influence, for good and evil, over life on earth. After earthly marriage, one night of the week is kept for sleeping with the spirit spouse, and earthly spouses may not sleep together. The carvings are kept very private, and are rarely seen. 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 coiffures. 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."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. These well-carved figures are often burnished to a dark glossy patina from much handling.I have examined this piece and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, PhD. **005017** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!