A fine Baule antique tribal figure. A fine Baule antique tribal figure. Baule tribe Ivory coast, early 20th century. This spirit wife figure would worshiped and offered libations by a young man to bring luck in finding a appropriate bride. A real genuine antique tribal carving with good signs of tribal usage. The Baule of Ivory coast believe in a variety of animistic spirits which have a profound influences of the life of a individual, they believe that every person has a Sprit spouse of the opposite sex. The spirit spouse manifests itself through dreams and is believed to be responsible for problems spiritual or material that arise in the life. In certain circumstances it is deemed necessary than a Spirit wife or Husband figure be carved to assist a individual with a spiritual or personal problem or to help procure or choose of a real life spouse These statues are carved under the direction of the village diviner and are kept In the persons room revered offered food offerings and rubbed against the skin which often produce natural wear and patina Provenance: Old UK collection Size: 10 1/2 inches, 27cm price: £395.00 GBP info@tribalartantiques.com