Small tribal statue.

Any info on Who/What/Where/When/Why would be very helpful.

Picked her up years ago somewhere online and now I don't even remember where.
Anyway , thanks in advance for any and all info.

Kevin.

 

I THINK Ivory Coast, Baule spirit spouse, but await confirmation on that. Can’t speak as to age.
http://www.beprimitive.com/stories-descriptions/baule-blolo-or-spirit-spouse

 

I forgot to mention it is 13" tall including the base.

 

All of the Baule figures I have seen have had scarification on the face.
This piece has smooth features on the face with no scarification. Still wondering if it is something else?

 

I agree, Baule, Ivory Coast. Probably mid-20th century.

 

Doing a quick search on the internet I am seeing quite a few Baule figures without scarification , but still , something seems off from this one to the Baule pieces I am seeing and have in my collection. Not sure why yet , but am still thinking something else. The eyes seem different. Beady , almost like Fang but not quite.??
I really need to get better at this.....lol

 

This seems informative for your research.

 

You will find Baule figures (and people) with and without scarification, especially on the face, where it has a different significance. Facial scarification is associated more with their neighboring tribe, the Senufu, at one time the main source of slaves for the Baule.

It has been reported that if a Baule woman has several children die, her next child will be given facial scarification as a "protection," making it less attractive to evil spirits representing Death.

There is usually some variation on the eyes, especially on Baule masks. They are probably most-often shown as slits, or "heavy lidded." But I don't see any indication here to think that this isn't Baule. The headdress, especially, is typical Baule.

It lacks the long head and "heart-shaped" pattern around the face, associated with Fang.

 

Thank you both very much for the information.