Baule Monkey Vessel with Lid Côte d'Ivoire

This carved wooden monkey-shaped vessel originates from the Baule people of West Africa. The container is surmounted by a sculpted monkey head forming the lid, blending utilitarian function with expressive figural carving.

The monkey imagery could suggest symbolic meaning—such as cleverness, mischief, or liminality—or possible influence from neighboring cultures. The stylized features, including rounded forms and a smooth, refined surface, reflect classic Baule sculptural aesthetics.

Such vessels may have been used for storing medicinal substances, ritual materials, or personal items, and could also serve as prestige objects within domestic or ceremonial contexts.

Monkey carvings known as Mbra and sometimes referred to as Gbekre are considered as power figure used in many rituals, especially during a trance divination where the spirit of Mbra assists the diviner in his effort to transmit the spirits of the other world message to the living in order to solve a problem during a consultation.