These wood statues are a one of a kind pair, hand carved by the artists of West Africa.

These sculptures are from the Baule people of Ivory Coast. The facial scarification, elaborate coiffure, the base upon which these figures, bent knees and the art form are signatures of Baule sculptures.

The arched brows of these sculptures are intended by the Baule to give the carvings the presence of living beings because the Baule considered their sculptures not strictly as an art but as an extension of their beings and vital components of their power. The scarification marks were means of beautification but beyond that they showed that these carvings represent adults because the marks were given during rites of passage into adulthood. Other features used to connote beauty as understood by the Baule are the hair styling in both figures and also the beard in the male figure.

The beard especially represents an elder, a male who has fathered children and worthy of the respect that comes with age and wisdom. The pointed breasts in the female indicate that she is a mother. By holding her breast, the female figure was made to represent more than her motherhood. She also represents the matrilineal lineage that gave rise to the Baure clans and the female’s role as nurturing and helping to perpetuate the continuity of the civilization. By touching his abdomen, the male carving was represented in a gesture of peace.

It should be noted that Baule sculptures are not depictions of actual people or even ancestors but rather of spirits and the ennobling qualities of the society.

Click here to learn more about sculpture from the Ivory Coast . Please email info@lotusmasks.com or call us, toll free 1(866) LOTUS-12.

Care: Mainly for indoor use. Dust as needed.

Shipping is automatically calculated by UPS for shipping within the US and Canada. Each piece is usually shipped within 24 hours of the order with the exception of the weekend. If you are in Canada please select "UPS Standard to Canada" for the shipping option. If you are an international customer please select "TNT International Shipping" during checkout. The shipping will come out as $0 and will be added to your order. Please call 203-629-0902 or email us info@lotusmasks.com for a shipping quote. Click here for approximate UPS transit times. Lotus Masks uses Instapak foam injection packing system to insure that all our pieces arrive undamaged. Click here to learn more about Lotus Masks packing.