Baule Blolo or Spirit Spouse Figure

A jealous spouse is a problem in any world. The Baule had a remedy for that.

In their belief, a partner in the other world could grow jealous of a living marriage, and a diviner might advise commissioning a figure to be kept in the bedroom and tended with care. This one, from Ivory Coast, is eleven inches of vermilion, made in the 20th century. She stands with closed hands held slightly forward, a ringed neck and a calm face, black-and-white eyes beneath a dark coiffure. A white wrap at the hips and a white oval base show cracking and losses to the paint.

Long handling leaves marks. These are good ones.