Maternity statue - Baule - Côte d'Ivoire






Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
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Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Baoulé
Wood, beads and metal staples
Height: 520 mm
Width: 100 mm
Depth: 105 mm
Weight: 1480 g
Cracks closed by old metal staples, see photos.
This sculpture is a Baoulé maternity figure from the center of Ivory Coast. The presence of the child carried against the belly and the shape of the head allow it to be identified as a maternity figure
1 - Origin
• Ethnicity: Baoulé.
• Provenance: center of Ivory Coast (regions of Sakassou, Bouaké, Béoumi, Yamoussoukro).
The style is typical of the great Baoulé sculptural tradition, with a strong concern for elegance and balanced proportions.
2 - Uses
This maternity was intended for religious or ritual use.
It could serve:
• to promote fertility;
• to protect the mother and child;
• to ensure a happy pregnancy and births without complications;
• to receive offerings in a family shrine;
• sometimes to honor an ancestor regarded as founder of the lineage.
These sculptures were generally kept in a private space.
3 - Description
The sculpture presents several characteristic elements.
The head
• long, oval face;
• half-closed eyes inlaid with red pigment;
• discreet mouth;
• scarifications on the forehead, cheeks and neck;
• remarkable hairstyle with several buns finely carved, symbol of female prestige.
The body
• developed chest, a sign of maternity;
• slightly protruding belly;
• carefully executed abdominal scarifications;
• long arms pressed against the body.
The child
The child is carried against the abdomen, held by the mother's arms.
It is intentionally depicted in a reduced form in order to highlight the maternal figure, which is common in Baoulé sculpture.
The seat
The woman sits on a carved stool.
The seat symbolizes:
• dignity;
• social status;
• spiritual authority.
The geometric motifs carved on the stool are also characteristic of Baoulé productions.
The parcels are sent Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery between 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via International Colissimo.
We speak english
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
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Ivory Coast
Baoulé
Wood, beads and metal staples
Height: 520 mm
Width: 100 mm
Depth: 105 mm
Weight: 1480 g
Cracks closed by old metal staples, see photos.
This sculpture is a Baoulé maternity figure from the center of Ivory Coast. The presence of the child carried against the belly and the shape of the head allow it to be identified as a maternity figure
1 - Origin
• Ethnicity: Baoulé.
• Provenance: center of Ivory Coast (regions of Sakassou, Bouaké, Béoumi, Yamoussoukro).
The style is typical of the great Baoulé sculptural tradition, with a strong concern for elegance and balanced proportions.
2 - Uses
This maternity was intended for religious or ritual use.
It could serve:
• to promote fertility;
• to protect the mother and child;
• to ensure a happy pregnancy and births without complications;
• to receive offerings in a family shrine;
• sometimes to honor an ancestor regarded as founder of the lineage.
These sculptures were generally kept in a private space.
3 - Description
The sculpture presents several characteristic elements.
The head
• long, oval face;
• half-closed eyes inlaid with red pigment;
• discreet mouth;
• scarifications on the forehead, cheeks and neck;
• remarkable hairstyle with several buns finely carved, symbol of female prestige.
The body
• developed chest, a sign of maternity;
• slightly protruding belly;
• carefully executed abdominal scarifications;
• long arms pressed against the body.
The child
The child is carried against the abdomen, held by the mother's arms.
It is intentionally depicted in a reduced form in order to highlight the maternal figure, which is common in Baoulé sculpture.
The seat
The woman sits on a carved stool.
The seat symbolizes:
• dignity;
• social status;
• spiritual authority.
The geometric motifs carved on the stool are also characteristic of Baoulé productions.
The parcels are sent Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery between 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via International Colissimo.
We speak english
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
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
