Accession Number
1984/1.264

Title
Male Figure

Artist(s)
Baulé

Artist Nationality
Baule (culture)

Object Creation Date
circa 1950

Medium & Support
carved wood

Dimensions
14 9/16 in x 3 1/8 in x 2 15/16 in (37 cm x 8 cm x 7.5 cm);14 9/16 in x 3 1/8 in x 2 15/16 in (37 cm x 8 cm x 7.5 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Prof. and Mrs. Horace M. Miner

Label copy
Figurative statuary represent either spirits of the bush or spirit-lovers. Because spirit-lovers interfere with one's love life with one's spouse, it is important to appease these potentially troublesome spirits. Upon consultation with a spiritual-specialist, a wooden image is carved and a prescribed ritual is assigned to the owner. One ritual includes fondling and oiling the image. Consequently they acquire a glossy patina. This is a classic example of how the purpose of an image ultimately determines its appearance.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
figure

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
males
nudes
standing