Baule Wood Slingshot, Ivory Coast, Based

Stretched animal head tops a tall Y with a ribbed surface.

This carved wood slingshot with a base is Baule, and dates to the 20th century. It is ivory coast, west africa. Slingshots in West Africa were traditionally used by boys and hunters, and some examples have carved handles in the form of figures or animals. Presenting a tall, narrow Y shaped form with two long legs and fine incised lines running down them. The head at the top is long, with a crest of upright forms. The surface is a mellow dark brown, with worn patches. It is 2.75 inches wide, 1 deep and 8.5 high.

All neck, all legs and perfectly composed.