A Baule Male Spirit Spouse, Blolo Bian Ivory Coast, c. 19th century Slender male standing on an integral circular base. He has muscular calves and buttocks, hands to a protruding abdomen, raised scarification marks on front, sides, and back of torso and neck. His head is oversized with large half-closed eyes, wide nostrils, pursed lips, sideburns. His coiffure is finely grooved with side braids, tall crest and two lobes at back. A single lock of hair falls diagonally from proper right side of the back of head and down neck. A few white beads around neck and left ankle. All characteristics of a specific individual. In good condition, appropriate for age, origin, use, and medium; encrusted black patina partially eroded and dusty, stable cracks down right side of head, the base split between the feet. Secured to a wood base. Provenance: Eric Hertault, Paris, France A Private Collection, Paris, France Isadore and Nancy Mader, Pennsylvania A Parke Bernet Auction, 1968 A Private Collection, New York, NY Henri Leclerc (1905-1970), Geneva, Switzerland, as of 1968 African Heritage Documentation and Research Centre # 0059495 Height: 18 ¾ inches, including base HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved