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| A rare miniature spirit spouse figure for babies measuring 8" in height from the Baule people in the Cote d'Ivoire. The Baule live in and around the cities of Yamoussoukro and Bouake. The 'spirit spouse' is the most personal of Baule arts and is commissioned from a carver in order to please an individual's husband or wife in the spirit world. Even newborns can have spirit spouses who trouble them and make them ill or restless. Miniature stools and small figures like this one, are carved so the spirit will come and receive offerings. These figures are often attached to cords of white beads which may be worn as pendants or kept in the house. A figure's appearance is based upon images from the spirit world that was experienced in dreams. |
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