Baule Blolo or Spirit Spouse Figure

Maroon skin, a red-and-white headwrap, and a patterned wrapper scalloped in black. She dressed with intent.

This fourteen-inch female figure is a Baule spirit spouse from Ivory Coast, 20th century. Such figures stood for a person’s companion in the spirit world and were kept privately, where they could be cared for and consulted. Her eyes are bright white, her lips pink, and black straps cross her chest. White dabs scatter over the body, and a long vertical crack runs from neck to hem. She stands on a round base with a naturally worn edge.

Draw closer. The details reward it.