BAOULÉ, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, probably late XIXᵉ centur - Lot 216

BAOULÉ, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, probably late XIXᵉ century. Pair of male and female statuettes presented standing on circular pedestals. The man presents a youthful stature with a long, smoothed beard tightening at the bottom and resting on the torso. The faces are interiorized, soft and serene. The woman wears her hair in a tray with braids arranged on the back; the man wears a sagittal crested chignon falling on the top of the neck. Hardwood, very old brown patina, traces of white pigments, weathering on the bases. Height from 33 to 36 cm Note: These sculpted couples represent the Baule ideals of beauty, harmony and status, playing a symbolic role in the social representations of the lineage.