This female Baule statue from the Mbahiakro region in east-central Côte d'Ivoire embodies the idealized aesthetic that has characterized Baule sculpture since the 19th century. Comparable figures were venerated as *blolo bla* - spirit spouses - or as ancestral figures in private shrines. They served to foster fertility, personal well-being, and a harmonious relationship between the visible and invisible worlds. The Mbahiakro region is one of the historic settlement areas of the Baule, whose workshops developed an extraordinary synthesis of formal elegance and spiritual symbolism. The standing figure radiates a contemplative calm. Closed eyes and an inward-looking gaze lend it a meditative presence that underscores the sculpture's spiritual nature. The crown-like coiffure, with its sharply rising braided elements, forms the architectural apex of the composition and reflects the high value placed on elaborate hairstyles within Baule society. The long neck, articulated by fine incised rings, enhances the figure's elegant verticality. Breasts modeled to point forward, combined with arms held close to the body and hands resting on the lower abdomen, create the balanced, symmetrical posture characteristic of classical Baule sculpture. A textile loincloth serves as the sole element of clothing, drawing the eye to the figure's harmonious proportions. Slightly bent knees lend the form a subtle vitality, while the small base emphasizes its upright presence. The lustrous patina and fine traces of wear attest to a long history of ritual use and lend the figure its historical authenticity. Selected Bibliography Vogel, Susan Mullin: Baule: African Art, Western Eyes. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1997. Himmelheber, Hans: The Art of the Baule. Munich, 1960. Fischer, Eberhard; Homberger, Lorenz: The Art of the Ivory Coast. Zurich, 1979. Delafosse, Maurice: The Baule and the Agni of the Ivory Coast. Paris, 1901. Cole, Herbert M.: Icons: Ideals and Power in the Art of Africa. Washington, D.C., 1989. Informant: Bakari M*A*Z*1*7*0*4*1* The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits.