This is a very rare and important wood sculpture of a Spirit couple from the Baule peoples of Cote D\'Ivoire , West Africa.Carved wood with layered and encrusted surface suggesting ritual use over many years. The figure features a male and female couple with incised coiffure, raised scarification along the neck and on the back. The arms and hands are placed along the abdomen.Fetish such as this were typically placed on personal or village shrines and acted as a medium to the spirit world. Calling on the ancestor spirits for help with a number of maladies, including infertility and warding off disease. The figure itself measures 10.5 inches tall x 5 inches wide. The pair have been custom mounted to museum display ( measuring 12.25 inches tall on display) This sculpture has a long and impressive provenance as follows: Exhibited: Meadow Brook Art Gallery, Rochester, Michigan, February 1-March 3, 1968. Exhibited :Detroit Historical Museum, January 16-June 16, 1978. Exhibited :Wayne State University, July 1980-January 1981. Ex~ Collection of The Detroit Institute of the Arts Museum from 1988. Ex~ Collection Governor and Mrs G. Mennen Williams.Governor of Michigan from 1948-1960.Mr Williams was appointed Secretary of State over African Affairs by President John F Kennedy, 1961-1966Ambassador to the Philippines 1968-1969Author of the Book \"Africa for the Africans\" Published in 1969.Governor Williams was also elected to the Michigan Supreme court and was its Chief Justice from 1970 - 1987. ** The last 2 photos are of G Mennen Williams with President Kennedy and the Israeli Prime Minister.

Fair, well worn