Dimensions and Weight:
- Weight: 1.441 kg
- Height: 50 cm
- Width: 14.5 cm
- Depth: 10.5 cm
Baoulé ancestor figurines are important traditional art objects for the Baoulé people of Côte d'Ivoire. Here is a more detailed overview:
Cultural Context
Function: These figurines are often used in religious and spiritual practices. They typically represent ancestral spirits, known as "Blolo bian" (male spirit) or "Blolo bla" (female spirit), believed to protect families and communities.
Ritual Use: The Baoulé believe these figurines can house protective spirits and are often placed in domestic or communal shrines. They may be invoked during ceremonies to seek guidance or blessings.
Divination Rituals: Sometimes, the figurines are used by diviners to diagnose illnesses or spiritual issues.
Artistic Characteristics
Aesthetics: Baoulé figurines are renowned for their artistic refinement. They often display a calm, contemplative posture with balanced proportions and symmetrical facial features.
Scarifications: The figures are frequently adorned with body scarifications, which are important cultural symbols of beauty and identity among the Baoulé.
Materials: Primarily made of wood, these figurines may also be decorated with other materials like beads, metals, or fabrics, such as the traditional cloth (pagne) this figure wears, as well as an antique ring worn as a pendant.
Symbolism
Protection and Well-being: The figurines are believed to bring protection, prosperity, and well-being to the individuals and families who possess them.
Connection to Ancestors: They maintain a link with the ancestors, fostering the transmission of traditions and cultural values from generation to generation.
Care and Respect
- Veneration: The statues are often carefully maintained, cleaned, and occasionally anointed with sacred substances like oil. They are treated with great respect, reflecting their spiritual importance.
Baoulé ancestor figurines are not just works of art but living objects in Baoulé culture, embodying the history, beliefs, and values of the people.
3,000.00 €
