Female Baule Figure Wood with ritual patina Didievi Region, Côte d'Ivoire Private Collection This female Baule figure originates from the Didievi region of central Côte d'Ivoire, an important artistic area of the Baule people. Baule sculpture is distinguished by its refined proportions, idealized human forms, and detailed representation of beauty, status, and personal identity. The figure is characterized by a high, carefully arranged coiffure, a symbol of elegance and social refinement. The lowered eyes create a composed and introspective expression, while the gritted teeth give the face a distinctive and powerful character. The hands are placed on the abdomen in a restrained and dignified gesture, emphasizing balance and calm posture. A remarkable feature of this sculpture is the extensive scarification covering the body, including the back. These finely carved patterns refer to ideals of beauty, maturity, identity, and social belonging within Baule culture. The detailed treatment of the scarification, combined with the elaborate hairstyle and controlled posture, demonstrates the exceptional craftsmanship of Baule carvers. Figures of this type are associated with representations of idealized women and spiritual beings, including blolo bla (spirit spouse figures), embodying concepts of beauty, harmony, and social perfection. The combination of the high coiffure, lowered gaze, gritted teeth, and extensive scarification makes this a distinctive example of the refined figurative tradition of the Didievi region. Baule art from the Didievi region of Côte d’Ivoire is known for its refined elegance, idealized human forms, and exceptional attention to personal adornment. The area is recognized for sculptures that emphasize harmony, balance, and the perfection of the human figure. Typical features of Didievi Baule works include carefully modeled faces, serene expressions, elaborate hairstyles, and finely carved details such as scarification and jewelry. Compared with some other Baule regions, Didievi sculptures often show a particularly delicate treatment of the body and a strong sense of compositional balance. Selected Bibliography Vogel, Susan M. Baule: African Art – Western Eyes. Yale University Press, New Haven, 1997. Fischer, Eberhard & Homberger, Lorenz (eds.). African Masters: Art from Côte d'Ivoire. Museum Rietberg / Musée du quai Branly, 2014. Neyt, François. Trésors de Côte d'Ivoire. Fonds Mercator, Brussels, 2014. Bouloré, Alain-Michel. L’Art Baoulé de Côte d’Ivoire. Paris, 1996. Vogel, Susan M. Art/Artifact: African Art in Anthropology Collections. Center for African Art, New York, 1988. Inv. No. M/A/Z/17///8///40 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. Informant Bakari Bouaflé