Baule Blolo or Spirit Spouse

He stands in a striped football shirt, one foot on the ball, hand on his heart.

Baule carvers of the Ivory Coast, West Africa, made this blolo, or spirit spouse figure, in wood in the 20th century. Blolo figures are commonly associated with otherworldly partners that Baule belief places in a parallel realm. This one wears a mustard shirt with dark pinstripes, black shorts and white socks, with a soccer ball under one boot. The skin is glossy dark brown, the face calm and tall-browed. He rises from a rough base set on a black stand.

About 21 inches tall. Kickoff is at eight. He will not be moving.