A male Baule sculpture, Ivory Coast, collected in the region of Beoumi. The Baule sculptures from the region of Béoumi in central Côte d’Ivoire reflect a distinct local refinement within the broader Baule artistic tradition. While they share the classical Baule emphasis on harmony and spiritual idealization, works from Béoumi are often noted for their particularly slender proportions and elegant verticality. One stylistic peculiarity is the elongated torso combined with relatively narrow shoulders and tapering limbs. The body appears upright and poised, with a controlled frontal stance that enhances the figure’s quiet authority. Compared to some southern Baule examples, Béoumi figures can feel slightly more attenuated and linear in silhouette. The head, as in most Baule sculpture, is proportionally emphasized, but in the Béoumi area it is often more oval and delicately modeled. Facial features tend to be finely carved: almond-shaped, lowered eyes; a straight, narrow nose; and a small, carefully shaped mouth conveying introspective calm. The expression is restrained and serene rather than individualized. Hairstyles are crisply articulated, sometimes rising in structured, geometric coiffures that contrast with the smooth modeling of the face. Scarification marks, when present, are subtle and rhythmically arranged, adding decorative refinement without disrupting the surface harmony. Surface treatment is typically smooth and well polished, developing a warm brown patina through handling and ritual use. The overall impression of Béoumi-area Baule sculpture is one of measured elegance, slender balance, and spiritual composure, with a particular sensitivity to proportion and linear grace. MAZ09216