Masque and - Baule - Côte d'Ivoire (No Reserve Price)

The Baoulé sculpture will represent a spirit and will serve to appease it. Baoulé statues of spirits or nature genies are always seated, whereas the spouses of the afterlife are always standing. Spirits of nature are distinguished: some have a sacrificial patina, while spirits favorable to romantic relations have a polished patina. Forest and bush spirits are imagined as being hideous: humpbacked, with feet turned backward, dirty skin, red hair, with enormous eyes and only one arm... Very dangerous, they can have a detrimental effect on agriculture, hunting, and health. Enticed by sacrifices, they can become favorable to humans. This begins with a consultation with the diviner, who identifies the cause of misfortunes and prescribes remedies, involving having Baoulé statuettes sculpted, for which he indicates the sex.