Figure Item Number: 3123/26 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Figure of a standing female. Woman stands squarely, large feet planted on a thick stand, arms by her sides with fingers straight. Large breasts hang from sloping shoulders. Her neck is thick, and face is carved with an open mouth showing small teeth, a large nose, and fine brows. Eyes are made from round nail heads. Ears are large and delicately carved with a piercing in the left lobe. Her hair, parted in the middle, is held back from a high forehead by a thin band carved with vertical stripes, while the top and back of her head are carved with diagonal stripes. Part b is a cowrie shell necklace that is looped several times around the figure's neck.
History Of Use
The emphasized female body parts represent a figure of the Baule peoples' ancestors. The figure represents a female spirit lover called "blolo bla", who are frustrated partners left behind in the world of spirits when people are born into the world. The statue is decorated with jewelry to promote fertility and marital success. It is believed to promote beauty, to assist with fertility as well. The male counterpart of this figure is "blolo bian".
Item History
- Made in Cote d'Ivoire
- Owned by Cornelia Hahn Oberlander before July 22, 2015
- Received from Cornelia Hahn Oberlander (Donor) on July 22, 2015
What
- Name
- Figure
- Identification Number
- 3123/26 a-b
- Type of Item
- figure
- Material
- wood, cowrie shell, cotton fibre ? and metal
- Part A
- height 50.1 cm, width 17.0 cm, depth 13.0 cm
- Part B
- height 42.0 cm, width 1.7 cm, depth 1.7 cm
Who
- Culture
- Baule
- Previous Owner
- Cornelia Hahn Oberlander
- Received from
- Cornelia Hahn Oberlander (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Cote d'Ivoire
When
- Ownership Date
- before July 22, 2015
- Acquisition Date
- on July 22, 2015
Other
- Item Classes
- carvings & sculpture
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 3123/0026 a-b