Baule
Côte d'Ivoire
Coastal West Africa
Figural Staff
INV-1039
Baule
Côte d'Ivoire
Coastal West AfricaProbably late 19th century
Figural Staff
Baule Côte d'Ivoire Coastal West Africa →bauleArts of Africaafrican ArtCoastal West Africaceremonial objectarts of Africa
Date
Probably late 19th century
Medium
Wood and iron
Dimensions
162.6 × 5.8 × 6.4 cm (64 × 2 1/4 × 2 1/2 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Purchased with funds provided by Bernice Hirsch, William Hartmann, and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert R. Molner in memory of Milton Hirsch; African and Amerindian Art Purchase Fund
Until the 1950s, along the eastern edge of the Baule region carved staffs like this example were made to honor important ancestors. That practice has given way to rituals focusing on stools and gold inherited from deceased family members. In the example displayed here an idealized male figure is seated on a stool, with three faces below him that may symbolize wealth in the form of wives. The drum carved farther down likely alludes to success in battle.
Also notable
Works in the same vein
