Baule Wood Slingshot, Ivory Coast, Based

Narrow standing figure balanced on a forked pedestal, arms at its sides.

This carved wood slingshot with a base is Baule, and dates to the 20th century. It is ivory coast, west africa. A base allows a small functional object to stand upright and be viewed as a sculpture, a presentation choice made in collecting and display. In the photo, a slim carved figure with a large head, a ridged brow and arms pressed against a long torso. It stands on a short crossbar above a two pronged fork. The surface is dark reddish brown and glossy, on a black base. It is 2.5 inches wide, 1.5 deep and 7 high.

Upright, uncomplaining and balanced on a fork.