Standing male ancestor figure
Swiss Private Collection
Description
wood, slightly shiny reddish brown patina, typical posture, a large bearded face with fine grooved crested coiffure, rich scarification marks, carved with bracelets, old collection label “B 41” on the base, slightly dam. (hands), continuous crack (back of the head, back), missing parts through insect caused damage (base, left foot), fine cracks, socle;
Baule woodcarvers produced figurines for two distinct, unrelated rituals. Some figures were used by fortune-tellers as “spirit beings” (“asis usu”), while others were assigned to childless couples as “wives” (“blolo bla”) and “husbands” (“blolo bian”) from the realm of the unseen. The figurines are almost impossible to distinguish from each other, and are termed “wooden people” (“waka sran”) by the Baule, who believe, that every person has a partner who lives in the “other world”. With the help of fortune-tellers, these “blolo” figurines can intervene in difficult situations or in crises in relationships. Such sculptures are especially useful for cases of childlessness. The infertile spouse spends several nights with a specially made figurine in order to conceive with the other spouse in a dream state. Offerings also encourage these “loved ones from the other world” to become active.