Offering statue / protective ancestor. - Baule - Côte d'Ivoire
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Description from the seller
Côte d'Ivoire
Baoulé
Wood
Height: 490mm
Width: 115mm
Depth: 165mm
The hands have been reattached and there is a small fine crack at the right side of the base, see photos
1. The exact function of this type of Baoulé statue from Côte d’Ivoire, with a seated figure, holding a bowl, calm posture, dark patina, elegant proportions. Among the Baoulé, it is never a decorative sculpture: it is a ritual object used in very specific contexts.
This statue represents an offering statue / a protective ancestor.
Several visual cues of this statue converge toward a very specific category:
- seated figure on a stool → authoritative posture, never trivial
- hands holding a bowl → ritual offering function
- calm face, half-closed eyes → spiritual presence, non-human
- high and regular coiffure → classic Baoulé style
- elegant, symmetrical proportions → traditional workshop, not touristic
This is not a Blolo (husband/wife from the beyond):
→ Blolo are standing, more sensual, more individualized.
This is not a diviner statue (komien):
→ Komien are standing, arms along the body, more neutral expression.
It is a protective ancestor statue, used on a domestic altar.
2. Exact ritual function
The bowl is the key to reading it.
Among the Baoulé, a statue that holds a container is used to:
- receive offerings (flour, palm wine, oil, sacrificial blood)
- transmit the household’s requests to the ancestors
- soothe an irritated spirit or ancestor
- protect the family against illness, conflicts, bad luck
- attract prosperity and fertility
It is therefore active, not symbolic. It serves as an intermediary between the visible and invisible worlds.
3. Stylistic analysis: Baoulé workshop from the center (Bouaké / Sakassou / Béoumi)
Several stylistic details help locate the origin:
- oval face, almond-shaped eyes → central Baoulé
- high, striped coiffure → Bouaké / Sakassou workshops
- circular stool → typical of central and southern Baoulé
- short textured beard → influence from ancient Akan
- harmonious proportions → work of an initiated sculptor, not a tourist artisan
4. Iconographic interpretation
The seated posture
→ symbolizes stability, wisdom, spiritual authority.
The bowl
→ receptacle for offerings → mediator role.
The calm face
→ presence of a benevolent, non-aggressive ancestor.
The elaborate coiffure
→ prestige, high status within the lineage.
The stool
→ sign of authority (only elders sit on a stool).
This is a figure of an important ancestor, protector of the household.
5. Conclusion: precise function of this statue,
This Baoulé statue was used to:
- protect the family and the lineage
- receive ritual offerings
- soothe an ancestor or spirit
- ensure prosperity, fertility, and health
- maintain the household’s spiritual balance
It was placed on a domestic altar, consulted during family problems, and “nourished” regularly.
The Baoulé are one of the most important ethnic groups in Côte d'Ivoire. Their name reflects their origin: according to a legend, Queen Aba Pokou led her people in an exodus toward the gold-mining regions during the 18th century; she had to sacrifice her son to the god of a river in order to cross it. The people became known as the “Bauli,” meaning “the son is dead.”
Baoulé artists produced numerous art objects. They created pieces that rank among the finest African objects.
Shipping with tracking number.
Fast and secure shipping to France via Chronopost in 1 to 2 days and 3 to 5 days within the European Union and in the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.
mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateCôte d'Ivoire
Baoulé
Wood
Height: 490mm
Width: 115mm
Depth: 165mm
The hands have been reattached and there is a small fine crack at the right side of the base, see photos
1. The exact function of this type of Baoulé statue from Côte d’Ivoire, with a seated figure, holding a bowl, calm posture, dark patina, elegant proportions. Among the Baoulé, it is never a decorative sculpture: it is a ritual object used in very specific contexts.
This statue represents an offering statue / a protective ancestor.
Several visual cues of this statue converge toward a very specific category:
- seated figure on a stool → authoritative posture, never trivial
- hands holding a bowl → ritual offering function
- calm face, half-closed eyes → spiritual presence, non-human
- high and regular coiffure → classic Baoulé style
- elegant, symmetrical proportions → traditional workshop, not touristic
This is not a Blolo (husband/wife from the beyond):
→ Blolo are standing, more sensual, more individualized.
This is not a diviner statue (komien):
→ Komien are standing, arms along the body, more neutral expression.
It is a protective ancestor statue, used on a domestic altar.
2. Exact ritual function
The bowl is the key to reading it.
Among the Baoulé, a statue that holds a container is used to:
- receive offerings (flour, palm wine, oil, sacrificial blood)
- transmit the household’s requests to the ancestors
- soothe an irritated spirit or ancestor
- protect the family against illness, conflicts, bad luck
- attract prosperity and fertility
It is therefore active, not symbolic. It serves as an intermediary between the visible and invisible worlds.
3. Stylistic analysis: Baoulé workshop from the center (Bouaké / Sakassou / Béoumi)
Several stylistic details help locate the origin:
- oval face, almond-shaped eyes → central Baoulé
- high, striped coiffure → Bouaké / Sakassou workshops
- circular stool → typical of central and southern Baoulé
- short textured beard → influence from ancient Akan
- harmonious proportions → work of an initiated sculptor, not a tourist artisan
4. Iconographic interpretation
The seated posture
→ symbolizes stability, wisdom, spiritual authority.
The bowl
→ receptacle for offerings → mediator role.
The calm face
→ presence of a benevolent, non-aggressive ancestor.
The elaborate coiffure
→ prestige, high status within the lineage.
The stool
→ sign of authority (only elders sit on a stool).
This is a figure of an important ancestor, protector of the household.
5. Conclusion: precise function of this statue,
This Baoulé statue was used to:
- protect the family and the lineage
- receive ritual offerings
- soothe an ancestor or spirit
- ensure prosperity, fertility, and health
- maintain the household’s spiritual balance
It was placed on a domestic altar, consulted during family problems, and “nourished” regularly.
The Baoulé are one of the most important ethnic groups in Côte d'Ivoire. Their name reflects their origin: according to a legend, Queen Aba Pokou led her people in an exodus toward the gold-mining regions during the 18th century; she had to sacrifice her son to the god of a river in order to cross it. The people became known as the “Bauli,” meaning “the son is dead.”
Baoulé artists produced numerous art objects. They created pieces that rank among the finest African objects.
Shipping with tracking number.
Fast and secure shipping to France via Chronopost in 1 to 2 days and 3 to 5 days within the European Union and in the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.
mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
Offering statue / protective ancestor.
Ethnic group/ culture
Baule
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
