An exceptional sophisticated Blolo Bla figure with fine details. Wood, black patina. 48 cm. The Baule believe spirit figures can bring good fortune to all areas of life. But there is a limited amount of good fortune and the owner of a spirit figure reduces the amount of good fortune available to everyone else. To avoid envy, sculptures are kept out of sight in closed sleeping rooms. Although these figures aren't considered to be sacred objects, they were intended to be seen only by the individual owner. Blolo Bian are made for women and represent a 'spirit husband'. The Blolo Bla, meaning 'spirit wife', are made to support men with these waka sran, or 'person in wood'. Baule people carve these figures to represent their otherworld spouses and they believe that these spirits have influence over their human lives. (VJ) Provenance: Lucien van de Velde, Antwerp; Coll. John & Gilberte Lens, Antwerp, Belgium. One of the important Belgian collectors who started in the 1950's, bought many objects from Willy Mestach. AHDRC nr. 0057910.
An exceptional sophisticated Blolo Bla figure with fine details. Wood, black patina. 48 cm. The Baule believe spirit figures can bring good fortune to all areas of life. But there is a limited amount of good fortune and the owner of a spirit figure reduces the amount of good fortune available to everyone else. To avoid envy, sculptures are kept out of sight in closed sleeping rooms. Although these figures aren't considered to be sacred objects, they were intended to be seen only by the individual owner. Blolo Bian are made for women and represent a 'spirit husband'. The Blolo Bla, meaning 'spirit wife', are made to support men with these waka sran, or 'person in wood'. Baule people carve these figures to represent their otherworld spouses and they believe that these spirits have influence over their human lives. (VJ) Provenance: Lucien van de Velde, Antwerp; Coll. John & Gilberte Lens, Antwerp, Belgium. One of the important Belgian collectors who started in the 1950's, bought many objects from Willy Mestach. AHDRC nr. 0057910.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
