Male Figure of the Baule

Ivory Coast, 43.5 cm (1' 5")

The present statuette depicts a village elder, a wise and dignified man whose serene posture and expressive facial features convey authority and a lifetime of experience.
The bearded figure holds his hands folded in front of his abdomen, deliberately leaving the navel exposed. An elaborately fashioned coiffure and numerous carefully executed scarification marks on the face, neck, and both the front and back of the body emphasise the distinguished status and dignity of the individual represented within the village community.
The harmonious proportions and restrained yet powerful sculptural language lend the figure a remarkable presence. A rich and noble patina, developed through prolonged handling and use, covers the entire surface, imparting that distinctive character and timeless appeal so highly appreciated in early African sculpture.
The combination of dignified posture, meticulous attention to detail, and beautifully developed patina makes this statuette an impressive example of traditional Baule sculptural art.

Provenance: Oliver Castelani, France; Gerhard F. Vesely, Austria.

Estimate: € 1800 - 2200