Figure Pair – Baule people, Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa

Description

Figure Pair – Baule people, Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa
The Baule are an ancient civilization.
They are related to the Asante, and are probably also related to Guro (Mamla) people, with whom they have a greater stylistic affinity.
Baule effigies are not 'ancestor' figures, but sculptural portraits of spirits.
Figure pairs such as these represent idealized male or female (spirit) figures in their prime.
The Baule call their effigies
waka sona
which means wooden people (always made from hardwood).
Among the Baule people of Côte d'Ivoire, human experience evolves out of and remains inextricably linked to the ancestral spirit world,
blolo
or roughly translated "the village of truth", which controls and determines the fate of the living. Figures such as these serve as links to the spirit world and are a critical element in a Baule diviner's professional practice.
This refined couple is especially successful in capturing such an ideal. The figures are slender, with long torsos and muscular legs that are slightly flexed. With their eyes closed and hands resting on their abdomens, both figures reflect the same tranquil meditative attitude of contemplation. They are symmetrical and fluid in design, and facial features are described with excellent attention to detail.
The more elaborate the ornamental and decorative features of an individual work, the more time has been invested in its execution by the sculptor, and the greater the expense.
Condition:
(see photos)
Dimensions: male is 36 inches tall x 5.6 inches wide x 5.6 inches deep.
Dimensions: female is 34 inches tall x 5.6 inches wide x 5.6 inches deep.
Male figure has two noticeable stable age cracks, one on his coiffure and between his buttocks.
Female figure has a stable age crack across her left hand / torso.
Both figures have a well-established, smooth, encrusted dark patina.
Carved from hardwood.
Age is difficult to determine.
E
stimated somewhere around the late 20
th
Century… Perhaps, before the coup d'état and continued civil unrest.
Over-all value as well as the (unknown) carver’s prominence and integrity are best when figural pairs such as this pair are maintained together.
For this reason, I am strongly opposed to selling them individually.
Shipping costs are affected by package size ... "Dem Weight", so if you think shipping costs are excessive and unreasonable, contact USPS or FED EX / UPS and quote a package 12" x 12" x 38" at approx. 30+ pounds and see what the actual fees are (especially to NY and East Coast areas) ...
International buyers, shipping costs will be higher.
Ships via GSP.