Figure - Wood - biolobian - Baule - West Africa
No. 24153363
Among the Baule every man and women have a spirit spouse.
A fine female Baule with a shiny patina, hard wood.
A "Blolo bian" figure from the Baule in Ivory Coast. Usually translated as ‘a woman’s spirit mate’. A blolo bian is the spiritual counterpart that stays behind in the blolo.
The two halves make a pact about lifespan, career and particulars of their stay on earth. The woman will commission a statue of her blolo bian that she can consult if she encounters problems. This figure is than an idealized male.
The counterpart "Blolo bla" Baule from Ivory Coast is a ‘man’s spirit mate’, like the blolo bian.
The spirit spouse has to be feed an egg everyday and taken care off.
Height 42 cm , 44 cm on the custom made metal base . Estimated age: 1930's
Provenance: David Norden collection Antwerpen.
Object
Figure
Indigenous object name
biolobian
Ethnic group/ culture
Baule
Region/ country
West Africa
Material
Wood
Period
1st half 20th century
Condition
Excellent
Sold with stand
Yes
Dimensions
42×9×8 cm