Wood

Among the Baule, a partner in the other world gets a carving of their own. Antique carved wood objects from Africa, India and Papua New Guinea share one trait: worn smooth by use. Baule blolo bla and blolo bian, the spirit-spouse figures carved in the Ivory Coast for partners in the other world, stand alongside Mossi biiga dolls from Burkina Faso, Yoruba ibeji twin figures and Ashanti carving from Ghana. Ethiopia contributes Gurage, Oromo and Dorze headrests and milk vessels, many mended with native repairs of hide and metal. From India come temple frames, niche Buddhas and toy Nandi bulls; from the Tami Islands of Papua New Guinea, carved ceremonial bowls; from the Congo, Kuba carving dense with pattern.

Old wood has a surface no finish can imitate: smoke-darkened, oil-rubbed, split and pinned. A carved headrest on a library shelf, a calabash vessel on a concrete console. Age is the one finish that cannot be faked.