Maternity statue — Baoulé, Côte d’Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. 204

Description

This wooden sculpture represents a standing woman carrying a child on her back, a recurring theme in the art of the Baoulé of Côte d’Ivoire. The Baoulé, an Akan people, attribute to this type of figure a protective or commemorative function, or one linked to the cult of spirits, waka sran. These statues embody either a tutelary spirit, a spirit spouse, blolo bla, or an idealised mother, guarantor of fecundity and lineage continuity.
The smiling face, half-open mouth, half-closed eyes and refined hairstyle in striated shells refer to Baoulé aesthetic criteria. The style is naturalistic and balanced, with attention given to volumes, bodily features such as pointed breasts, bent legs and a hand placed on the belly, and symbolic details such as scarifications.
The child on the back, with an arm wrapped around the waist, reinforces the maternal dimension of the piece.
Hard wood with a matte black patina, visible wear and some old splits. Workshop work, probably ritual or prestigious.

Technical details

Type of piece

Statue

Category

Statues

Ethnic group

Baoulé

Country

Côte d’Ivoire

Materials

wood

Dimensions

H 77 × W 22 × D 18 cm

Weight

5,3 kg

Estimated dating

second half 20th c.

Restoration / losses

Crack on the skull

Laboratory test

Not tested

Reference

204