A Baule sculpture

A Baule sculpture seated on an abstract stool with hands in front of the abdomen, fine fascial features, a single crested coiffure; collected in Daoukoro, Southern part of the Baule country, 40 km from Abidjan, fine shiny and aged patina.

In the context of Baule sculpture, the term region refers to the geographical area in central Côte d’Ivoire where the Baoulé people are concentrated. This includes areas around Daoukro, Yamoussoukro, Bouaké, and nearby villages. The regional origin of a sculpture is significant because local variations in style, proportion, posture, and detail—such as coiffure, scarification, or seated pose—reflect both aesthetic preferences and ritual function specific to that locality. These regional traits help distinguish figures used for spiritual purposes, like blolo bian/blolo bla (spirit spouses) or Asie Usu (protective spirits), and indicate the cultural and social context in which the sculpture was created.

_R113832

Height: 35 cm
Weight: 930 g