Baule Standing Figure

Baule standing figures of this scale typically functioned as either an asye usu, a figure addressing a bush spirit, or a blolo bian or blolo bla, a figure representing a spouse from the spirit world. These figures were kept privately, often in a family's inner room, and were used to work through the sources of illness, misfortune, or emotional strain traced back to the spirit partner. Baule carving is recognized for its balance and smooth surface finish, qualities that are part of the form rather than added to it. This piece was held in a private California collection and later passed through Pace African and Oceanic Art in New York.