Baule Blolo or Spirit Spouse Figure

Strong red, strong blue, black for emphasis. This spirit has opinions about color.

The Baule of Ivory Coast carved this blolo, or spirit spouse figure, in the 20th century. Baule belief holds that a world of spirits runs parallel to the living one, and that each person has a partner there, whose figure may be carved and cared for to keep the relationship content. He wears a bright blue shirt and shorts, hands tucked at his sides. Fine incised swirls cover the painted body, and the red face has a black cap of hair and outlined eyes.

Eleven inches. The paint is worn at the edges, and a small split marks the shorts. He has been busy.