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 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

 

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.