Figure of a Spirit Husband (Blolo Bian).

Description

Figure of a Spirit Husband (Blolo Bian). . The Baule believe that before birth all people were married in the blolo, “other world.” Illness or trouble often is caused by the anger or jealousy of the abandoned spirit spouse. Commissioning a carved figure is one way to please the spirit husband (blolo bian) or wife (blolo bla). Spirit spouses can be demanding and troublesome, but they generously help their human spouses in daily life to be successful, lucky, and rich. As one Baule woman explained, “my husband and I quarreled every day. … When I had [my blolo bian] carved, calm returned to the house. ArtistBaule Peoples Place of OriginIvory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) DateLate 19th-early 20th century DimensionsH: (85 cm); W: (20 cm) ClassificationSculpture Credit LineGift of the Popplestone Family