Baule Mouse Oracle, Côte d'Ivoire

Description of Significance:

The Baule, a group of Akan peoples, migrated to the Ivory Coast over 200 years ago and assimilated the sculptural and masking customs of neighboring ethnic groups such as the Guro, Senufo, and Yaure. Among their divination practices, the Baule utilized mouse oracles to predict and manipulate future events. To conduct this practice, they placed food and a meticulous arrangement of sticks inside a container, which was then covered. Subsequently, a mouse would enter through a hole in the base to access the food, inadvertently disturbing the sticks. When the diviner returned, they would interpret the reorganized sticks to obtain insight into the prophecy.

Origin:

• Handcrafted for use in Côte d'Ivoire

Dimensions (in inches):

• Depth: 9"
• Width: 13"
• Height: 12"

Materials: 

• Indigenous wood
• Metal Details
• Textile

About Antique African Art:

Hemingway Gallery regards antique African art as the best artistic expression of aesthetic beauty and storytelling throughout the known history of art. Aside from artistic taste, African art accrues value in different ways than other genres, including use in ceremonial settings as well as age. 50 years can be regarded as old or antique when it comes to wood masks and totems. Hemingway Gallery provides both authoritative insight and context into each artifact in the collection, possessing and readily exhibiting direct, intimate knowledge of the source and pedigree. The goal is to preserve and curate one-of-a-kind artifacts of importance while creating a platform for the acquisition of spectacular unique pieces within financial reach.

Our Pricing:

Hemingway Gallery ethically sources all the fine art in our collection. Our pricing correlates directly to the asking prices of artists, artisans and art dealers in the various African countries we collect from and the costs of importing the artwork to the U.S. We need to change the idea that artists should be paid pennies for their fine art just because it comes from Africa. Paying a fair price in Africa  is our number one priority and our pricing reflects that. 

Shipping:

• Shipped with FedEx Ground: $45
• A declared value is included in the shipping so a signature is required for delivery.
• We ship around the world! Our website is still new and is not yet processing automatic international shipping rates. Please contact us directly for custom shipping quotes outside the mainland USA (including Hawaii and Alaska).

Further Information:

Please email us at info@hemingwayafricangallery.com or call 212-838-3650 with the SKU # for further information on this piece.