VINTAGE BLOLO OR SPIRIT SPOUSE FIGURE CARVED WOOD BAULE IVORY COAST WEST AFRICA
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:30115 | Color: Brown |
| Material: Wood | Maker: Baule |
| Original/Reproduction: Original |
GJPaw Auctions is pleased to offer astunning carved wood Bloloor Spirit Spouse figure, from the Baule people, Ivory Coast, West Africa. The Baule (pronounced bow-lay) people believe there is an alternate world running parallel to the world of the living. They believe each person has amate in the spirit world - aplace where all spirits originate and return. The existence of the "mate" is typically encountered by youngadults who face a specific problem such as infertility or the ...failure to find a partner. Once a person is "diagnosed" by a diviner (called a wunnzueyifue and an important member of Baule society), may determine that theproblem can be solved by marriage to a spirit spouse - in which case arepresentation of the spouse is carved. Each sculpted spirit spouse has adistinctive personality and exerts a powerful influence on the daily life ofits physical mate. A man will own his spouse, the blolo bian, and awoman her spouse, the blolo bla. Once the marriage betweenthe physical mate and the spirit spouse takes place it becomes the physicalmate’s obligation to give offerings to the spirit spouse. In turn, it becomes the obligation of thespirit spouse to cure whatever problem caused the creation of the marriage inthe first place. The relationship between the physical mate and their spirit spouse can be described as active rather than passive. In fact, physical mates were often compelled by the wunnzueyifue to devote at least one night per week to their spirit spouse instead of their real life mate. The resulting communion was meant to take place in the dream state. This highly distinctive and beautiful blolo bla measures 2.75 inches in width by 2.75 inches in depth by 12 inches in height (6.98 cm by 6.98cm by 30.4 cm). It is in very good condition, showing wear commensurate withuse, and dates to the mid-20th century. A fabulous collector’s item, comingfrom an important Midwest collection of African art, it is guaranteedauthentic and would make a fine addition to any collection of African sculptureor African art in general.GJPaw Auctions has been in the Art business for over 25years and is now expanding its operation to eBay. Our goal is to bringthe same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been deliveringin-person to collectors across the globe at Primitive in Chicago. Every object wesell online has been carefully hand-selected with special attention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide. Add GJPaw to Sellers you Follow and please take a moment to look at ourother auction items. A1000-196
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