unidentified Ivorian

Description

Guinea Coast Based on a report published at the turn of the century (Delafosse 1900: 443) that beautifully carved ³human figures are placed on the tomb or grave of the deceased or even in the tomb, so that the spirit may find a place of repose,² Kjersmeier (1935 I) and many others have described Baule figures as memorials or even portraits of ancestors. Apparently the function of these figures has changed over the intervening years since Delafosse¹s report, or he misunderstood what he saw (Vogel 1973: 26, fn.16). More recent research indicates that Baule figures, collectively called waka snan, (³people of wood²) serve either as resting places for bush spirits (asie usu) who cause crop failures, hunting accidents, or sickness unless propitiated, or for spirit spouses (blolo bian) who are jealous of their human partner, and may cause sexual dysfunction if they are not given appropriate care and attention (Vogel 1973: 23-25). This seated, male figure shows the carver¹s careful attention to details of facial scarification and elaborate coiffure (the braids have been restored) which the Baule consider necessary to attract and please the spirits which trouble them. -- Professor Christopher Roy, School of Art and Art History, University of Iowa Contact the Stanley Museum of Art at the University of Iowa: https://stanleymuseum.uiowa.edu/about/contact/ The Stanley Collection single object 2007 Placed on man or woman's personal shrine Guinea Coast Eastern Guinea Coast Spirit spouse Religion Spirit Baule 400,000 Baule: Akan cluster of the Twi languages of the Kwa language family Central...