A Baule horse rider from the Sakassou region

A Baule horse rider, Ivory Coast, collected in the Sakassou region. Certificate of origin and provenance.

Symbolism: The horse rider represents a powerful and noble figure, often linked to Baule traditions of leadership, bravery, and respect. In many cases, the rider symbolises an ancestor or a spiritual leader. Horses were historically rare and associated with the elite, especially during the colonial period when they were introduced by Europeans. As such, the horse came to symbolise wealth, prestige, and power within Baule society. The horse rider figure is also connected to the Baule people's belief in the spirit world, serving as a conduit between the living and the ancestors.
Cultural Significance: Ancestor Worship: Baule people honour their ancestors through rituals and representations. These figures could be used in sacred ceremonies or placed on altars to ensure the blessings and protection of ancestral spirits. Royalty and Leadership: The sculptures often represent individuals of high rank, such as leaders, warriors, or nobles. The horse is a status symbol, and the rider embodies power and dignity. Funeral and Commemorative Practices: The Baule would commission these sculptures for significant individuals, sometimes for funerary purposes or to commemorate their contributions to the community.
Context and Use: These sculptures could be used in ceremonial settings, such as royal or ancestral rituals. In some cases, the horse rider figures are associated with divination practices, as the Baule people had spiritual and religious beliefs involving the consultation of spirits, sometimes with the use of figurative art to guide the process.

Height: 25 cm
Weight: 0,2 kg