Sculpture - Wood - Baoulé - Ivory Coast

A Baule male sculpture, standing on fragmentary feet, shortened bent legs, well-emphasized genitals, a slender torso with a pointed navel, arms carved close to the body with large hands touching the abdomen, emphasized pectoral muscles and shoulder blades, a thick neck supporting a large head, a finely curved mouth, a flat nose framed by open almond shaped eyes with high patterned eyebrow arches, semicircular ears, scarification marks all over the sculpture, capped by a domed, fine striated three parted coiffure; brown patina, traces of age and ritual use. Lit. : Susan M. Vogel: Baule. African Art, Western Eyes, 1997.