Baule Blolo or Spirit Spouse

Bright red, large eyed and very straight backed, she sits like she has an appointment.

This blolo or spirit spouse is Baule, from Ivory Coast, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is carved and painted wood. Among the Baule, blolo figures are generally understood to represent a spouse from the spirit world, and are carved with care to be beautiful. This one sits upright on a small stool, hands resting on the knees. The face has a small smile and painted eyes, a black cap of ridged hair sits on top, and the skin is painted red. A green line traces the neckline, and white marks the nails. It is 2 inches wide and deep and 8 high.

Elegant, and not one bit in a hurry.