Baule Blolo or Spirit Spouse

Red faced, in a brown work shirt and a very serious belt.

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 some carvers show them in modern dress. This figure stands straight, in a buttoned shirt and trousers painted brown, with a black belt and white buckle. The face is red, with heavy black brows, outlined eyes and a black cap of hair. The hands rest at the sides, and a green base supports the whole piece. It is 2.5 inches wide and deep and 9.5 high.

Dressed for business, wherever that may be.