Baule Blolo or Spirit Spouse Figure

No paint. Only wood, and the dark polish of years.

The Baule spirit spouse here, from Ivory Coast, was carved in the 20th century in the restrained classical style and stands twelve inches tall. The Baule believe in a spirit world parallel to our own, where each person has a partner who may need to be honored with a figure like this. The head carries a finely incised crested coiffure above downcast eyes and a long nose. The hands rest on the belly, and slender legs stand on a round base. Lighter wood shows through at the high points of the face, coiffure and knees.

A study in what remains when color steps aside.