Baule Wood Slingshot, Ivory Coast, Based

A forked branch with a bearded face carved into the stem.

This wooden slingshot on a base is Baule, and dates to the 20th century. It is ivory coast, west africa. Mounting an object on a base lets it stand upright, so its profile and carved details can be seen from every side. Y-shaped wooden form on a black stand, its two prongs open and rounded at the tips. The stem below the fork has a carved face with a long chin, and the wood is a glossy honey brown, rubbed and darker along the grooves. It is 2.75 inches wide, 1.75 deep and 7 high.

Plenty of personality for a piece of firewood.