MUSEUM QUALITY BAULE DEVINORS LEOPARD FIGURE Start Price USD 299.99 Current Price USD 299.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 349.99 Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, July 19, 2008 End Time Saturday, July 26, 2008 Location TANQUE VERDE VALLEY See more about 'MUSEUM QUALITY BAULE DEVINORS LEOPARD FIGURE ' Description BAULE DEVINOR'S FIGUREBIG CAT IVORY COAST MID 20th CENTURY 21 " TALLVALUE $ 950.00 SHOWS SIGNS OF CEREMONIAL USAGE The Baule tribe , live in the grasslands between the river Bandana and the Nzi. they are geographically close to the Guro. originally from the Ashanti area they have beenin this region for three centuries.The Baule create elegant statues and masks, but they also create purposefully ugly objects meant to be terrifyingly grotesque. This monkey figure (Mbra) is one such example. Made for a trance divination cult, Mbra, who seeks to insure success in war, is intended to appear wild and aggressive. Owned only by  trance diviners and certain families, the Mbra resides hidden outside under a shelter. The sculpture "feeds" on sacrifices brought from the bush and poured all over the figure, leaving it filthy and encrusted . A devinor would wear a helmet above a body suit  of raffia .This is a very rare object , never seen by women, and never publicly danced as it is very powerful. Mbra monkey figures are among the most frightening and powerful of Baule sculptures. They are used by diviners and men's associations for protection. Like sacred masks, they are kept in the bush as they are dangerous for women and kept secret. The heads share some of the stylistic features of the Bo nun amuin masks. The encrusted surfaces are caused by sacrificial offerings. We recommend Baule: African Art Western Eyes by Susan M. Vogel (Yale). OLD AGE CRACKS, Shipping is $ 28.00 + USA $ 44.00 INTERNATIONALINSURED   *** Please note that all old used Arts will have minor imperfections, chips, age          cracks and other minor irregularities.*** If you cannot live with that or want a perfect piece, Please do not bid as old used items are never perfect. I will try my best to point out anything beyond that in my item descriptions. PLEASE READ THE LISTING BEFORE BIDDING . DO NOT BID IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO PAY. Return Policy:  All items purchased can be returned for a credit within 14 days (minus shipping costs,).   POLICIES: Buyer prepays, plus shipping and handling. , INSURANCE is included. International postage may vary  depending on country. Winning bidders outside of the United States get  Air  Mail. After the auction has ended, EBAY will send you email notification of your winning bid, requesting your shipping information. Upon your reply, due within 3 business days, I will email you with complete information for mailing in your payment or charging through PAYPAL  Payments are due within 14 days from close of auction. Seller reserves the right to relist item if payment is not received within stated time. Please check out my feedback comments left by ALL MY satisfied customers regarding my accuracy of descriptions, quality of merchandise and care in shipping. As an Ebay Power  Seller we guarantee our descriptions to be accurate. Sorry, no refunds for buyer’s remorse. I invite you to please view my listing of other current eBay auctions. Multiple auctions won by the same bidder can be combined to help save on postage. SELLER RETAINS THE RIGHT TO NOT SELL TO ANY BIDDER Winning bidders,Please follow the Auto Response          URL and enter your mailing address, so that your merchandise will be sent to the correct address. Payment methods: If paying with a check or money order, follow the CONGRATULATIONS response E mail for our mailing address. If paying with credit cards through  PAYPAL, My account ID is: ethoartsinc@netscape.net E mail  through ebay if you have any questions or would like an invoice for  Paypal. HAPPY BIDDING , HAVE                                                                              A GREAT DAY AND GOOD LUCK Place a Bid!