Baule Blolo or Spirit Spouse

Thin, red and stripped of everything but the essentials.

Baule artists of the Ivory Coast, West Africa, carved this blolo in wood in the 20th century. A spirit spouse is commonly shown at the height of good looks, and some are carved with little adornment. This slim figure is painted red from head to heel, with a black patch for shorts, pale lines marking the face, and arms that hang straight at the sides. The legs end without a base.

About fourteen inches tall. Spare, direct and a little scuffed.