Baoulé statuette - Côte d'Ivoire

Origin. Ivory Coast
Tribe name. Baoulé
Material. Wood
Dimension 37
Shipping method. Colissimo within 24-48h, open.

The piece presented is a carved wooden statuette, characteristic of Baoulé traditional art from Ivory Coast, representing a female figure (often referred to as blolo bla or wife of the beyond).
Hair and face: The figure features an elaborate hairstyle split into two broad, finely worked lateral lobes, a classic marker of refinement and status in Baoulé sculpture. The face displays serene features with almond-shaped, half-closed eyes, a straight nose, and a small mouth. Scarifications are visible above the lips, reinforcing the naturalistic look and the aesthetic beauty sought in these pieces.
Morphology: The silhouette is treated with a balance between realism and stylization. The chest is emphasized with pointed, pronounced breasts. The arms are positioned rigidly, the hands resting near the hips or thighs. The navel is slightly protruding, a common detail that underscores vitality.
Posture and base: The figure is depicted seated on a small stool, with bent legs and feet resting on a flat base. The whole is mounted on a modern wooden pedestal, allowing it to be displayed as a work of art.

These statues were traditionally used in ritual contexts to intercede with spirits, serving as incarnations of the “spouses of the beyond” (blolo) with whom the individual maintained a spiritual relationship.