Baule Blolo or Spirit Spouse Figure

The Baule believe there is another world running alongside this one, and that each of us has a spouse there.

The blolo is where that partner is given somewhere to live, and to be honored. This male figure, carved of wood in Ivory Coast in the 20th century, is about thirteen and a half inches tall. He stands with arms at his sides, wearing a red and pale blue striped shirt and pale blue shorts painted over a reddish-brown body. Black hair, calm downcast eyes, a small mouth.

Gentle and dignified.

Give him a good chair, and a view.