Baule Blolo or Spirit Spouse

Dark, scarred in the decorative way, and quietly regal.

Baule carvers of the Ivory Coast, West Africa, made this wooden female blolo in the 20th century. Spirit spouse figures are commonly carved with ornamental patterns on the body, often read as scarification, a Baule mark of beauty. This one has a dark, reddish-brown surface, a layered coiffure, and incised designs across the torso. A white band circles one leg at the calf. The legs are planted apart on a small round base.

About eleven inches tall. Old surfaces like this do not photograph, they simply persuade.