STATUE COLON-BAOULE - Côte d'Ivoire

Origin. Côte d'Ivoire
Tribe name. Baoulé
Material. Wood
Dimension. 42 cm
Shipping mode. Colissimo within 24-48h, open

This statuette is a work of the Baoulé ethnicity (Côte d'Ivoire), belonging to the so‑called « Colon » style. This artistic current, which appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, illustrates the meeting between African traditions and Western influence.
Here is a detailed description of this object:
1. Visual Analysis and Style
Posture and Proportion: The figure respects the traditional Baoulé aesthetic canons with an imposing head (seat of intelligence and spirituality) and a rigid, frontal posture.
Colonial Attributes: The character wears elements of European clothing, characteristic of the colonial style:
A headdress of a specific shape (reminiscent of a kepi or official hat).
What appears to be a tunic or bolero with crossed bands (belt or military decoration).
A skirt or short pants and sandals or boots sculpted at the base.
Pigmentation: Polychromy is observed (red, ochre, and black pigments). The contrast between the dark skin and the colored details of the clothing is typical of Baoulé colonial pieces.
2. Cultural Significance
Contrary to a common belief, these statues are not solely caricatures of the white man. They can have several functions:
The Spouse of the Beyond (Blolo Bian): In Baoulé cosmology, every individual has a spiritual husband in the other world. To honor him, a statue was carved that should be as beautiful and as “modern” as possible. In the colonial era, prestige was associated with Western dress and objects; thus one represented one's spiritual spouse as a “colon” to give them a high social status.
Humor and Satire: They were sometimes used to mock the rigid attitude of colonial administrators (hands in pockets, severe posture).
Historical Testimony: They capture in wood the evolution of Ivorian society and the appropriation of codes of authority.
3. Condition and Patina
The statuette shows a beautiful patina from use, dark and shiny in places, which suggests it has been handled or preserved for a significant period. The facial details (almond-shaped eyes, discreet scarifications) confirm the finesse of the Baoulé master sculptors.
Note. If you examine this piece for a collection, the presence of natural pigments and the quality of sculpture at the level of the hands and face are indicators of the authenticity of its ancient ritual or decorative manufacture.