Sculpture - Wood - Baoulé - Ivory Coast

A Baule Mouse-Oracle with a seated figure in front of the container The container has two chambers, one smaller at the bottom and a bigger one in the upper part closed with the figurative top, the smaller one covered with a rusty iron plate. These containers have - according of my information in situ - a double function: they can be used as a container for tobacco or jewellery on one side and on the other as a mouse divination vessel, if a connection would be made between both chambers. To have the possibility to give the container a new function for divination sessions these vessels have very often the two chambers, which are important for a mouse oracle. "Baule artists and householders have created a profusion of useful objects decorated with exceptional care and skill. The practice of keeping important sculptures relatively hidden may have given rise to a desire among artists and owners for these highly visible, decorated objects.