Baule Wood Slingshot, Ivory Coast

Dark, glossy, and curved like an arch, with a face tucked in at the top.

This wooden slingshot from the Baule peoples is Baule, and dates to the 20th century. It is ivory coast, west africa. Wood for tools like this is chosen for its forked shape, and the natural branch is trimmed and smoothed to fit the hand. Tall dark form shaped like an upside-down U, with an elongated head and incised face at the crest. The surface is smooth and blackened, with reddish wear along the shoulders. Mounted on a black base. It is 3 inches wide, 2.25 deep and 7.25 high.

Somber, sleek, and entirely sure of its silhouette.