The Power to Honor
_ Diviner's Figures: Male and Female, The Baule people of Cote d’Ivoire, 19th – 20th Century.
Wood, pigment, beads, iron. Height 21 13/16" (male), 20 2/3" (female).The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Purchase, Nelson A. Rockefeller Gift, 1969 (1978.412.390-.391)
These two figures were carved from wood, painted over with possibly ritualistic materials, and adorned with beads and other jewelry. The detail with which these figures were carved emphasizes the important features which indicate the gender; all other details are virtually identical. A carver was commissioned to create them, and the adornments and specific details of each figure are dictated by the one commissioning them. The purpose of these objects is not actually known but, because of the libations that have been applied to the surface, they most likely were an aid to a diviner who’s role it was to communicate with the Baule spirits. The spirits who were possibly reached using these figures were the Earth spirits named Asye Usu. The spirit, in this case, asks the diviner to appear in this world in the form of a wooden carving. This could be the reason why the details of each carving are highly idealized and androgynous in nature. This would provide a perfect vessel for the spirit to embody. The entire reason why these art objects were created was to provide the Baule people with a connection to the other world spirits, receive their knowledge and blessings, and to honor them in hopes of being allowed to live a favorable life. This is a power that is bestowed upon the wielder of these objects as it gives them a direct link to gods who control many aspects of day to day life, whether events and circumstances turn out positive or not. Diviners who use these statues are said to be special people who have this ability to speak with the spirits and translate what is said.
Wood, pigment, beads, iron. Height 21 13/16" (male), 20 2/3" (female).The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Purchase, Nelson A. Rockefeller Gift, 1969 (1978.412.390-.391)
These two figures were carved from wood, painted over with possibly ritualistic materials, and adorned with beads and other jewelry. The detail with which these figures were carved emphasizes the important features which indicate the gender; all other details are virtually identical. A carver was commissioned to create them, and the adornments and specific details of each figure are dictated by the one commissioning them. The purpose of these objects is not actually known but, because of the libations that have been applied to the surface, they most likely were an aid to a diviner who’s role it was to communicate with the Baule spirits. The spirits who were possibly reached using these figures were the Earth spirits named Asye Usu. The spirit, in this case, asks the diviner to appear in this world in the form of a wooden carving. This could be the reason why the details of each carving are highly idealized and androgynous in nature. This would provide a perfect vessel for the spirit to embody. The entire reason why these art objects were created was to provide the Baule people with a connection to the other world spirits, receive their knowledge and blessings, and to honor them in hopes of being allowed to live a favorable life. This is a power that is bestowed upon the wielder of these objects as it gives them a direct link to gods who control many aspects of day to day life, whether events and circumstances turn out positive or not. Diviners who use these statues are said to be special people who have this ability to speak with the spirits and translate what is said.