Baule Statue, Yamoussoukro Region, Ivory Coast, wood with a dark patina; Central Ivory Coast, Yamoussoukro Region. This female figure belongs to the classic sculptural tradition of the Baule people, whose cultural heartland extends across central Ivory Coast. Numerous sculptures were created in the region around Yamoussoukro, serving as material manifestations of spiritual beliefs and simultaneously embodying the aesthetic ideals of society. Such figures are often associated with ancestor worship, private cults, or the concept of blolo spirit partners and are characterized by a combination of natural observation and idealized form. The upright figure conveys an impression of dignity and inner peace. Of particular note is the meticulously crafted hairstyle, whose segmented structure is gathered into a braid at the back. A small, thorn-like projection crowns the upper portion, lending the silhouette additional vertical tension. A narrow band across the forehead and a small ridge between the arched eyebrows accentuate the face. The frontal gaze and closed mouth lend the figure a calm, contemplative air. Three small bumps running from the outer corners of the eyes to the temples are reminiscent of traditional scarification techniques. The body's surface is articulated by finely grooved ornaments that adorn the neck, shoulders, chest, abdomen, and lower back, emphasizing the figure's harmonious proportions. The arms, held close to the body, bring the hands to the lower abdomen, an area often associated with fertility and vitality in Baule art. The short, sturdy legs give the sculpture stability and sturdiness. Chips, cracks, and wear marks document age and use. Literature (selection) Susan Mullin Vogel: Baule: African Art, Western Eyes. New Haven 1997. Monni Adams: Akan Arts and Aesthetics. Los Angeles 1983. Eberhard Fischer / Hans Himmelheber: The Art of the Ivory Coast. Zurich 1984. Herbert M. Cole: Icons: Ideals and Power in the Art of Africa. Washington 1989. Christopher D. Roy: Traditional Art of Africa. Upper Saddle River 1999. Jacques Kerchache et al.: African Art. Paris 1988.