Male Bateba statue, Lobi, Burkina Faso - Lot 19

Male Bateba statue, Lobi, Burkina Faso Hardwood, sacrificial crusty patina, visible woodborer damage Height: 48 cm Provenance: French private collection --- Male Bateba statue, Lobi, Burkina Faso Hardwood, sacrificial crusty patina, Visible xylophage shortages Height: 48 cm Provenance: French private collection Bateba, in this ethnic group, this type of effigy of a grandfather or ancestor is erected in the house of a family head or in the "great house" of a lineage doyen. The stretched, flowing body, long, slender legs, arched back, proudly rounded torso, massive, straight neck, face stretched forward as if staring at the horizon. This frozen attitude exudes a powerful presence. Sensuality and fluidity of muscular mass. A striking contrast between the massive, powerful, imposing heaviness of the muscular torso and the overall silhouette of the male figure, which seems to levitate, to exist on the tiptoes of feet that are not signified, but can be guessed to be weightless. A slight asymmetry intensifies the movement of the shoulders (one of which is slightly lowered), and the lightness of the slender arms detached from the body. The thick neck is topped by a small, fine-featured face, topped by a beautiful summit crest. --- Bateba, in this ethnic group, this kind of effigy of ancestor or ancestor is erected in the house of a head of household or in the "great house" of a lineage dean. The body stretched with fluid volumes, the legs slender, long, the back cambered, the torso proudly bulging, the massive straight neck, the face stretched forward seeming to fix the horizon. From this fixed attitude emerges a powerful presence. Sensuality and fluidity of the muscular masses. Striking contrast between the massive, powerful, imposing heaviness of the muscular bust and the whole silhouette of the male figure appearing to levitate, exist on the tip of the feet not meant but guessed while weightless. An asymmetrical shoulder strap intensifies the movement of the shoulders (one of which is slightly lower), and the lightness of the thin arms detached from the body. The thick neck surmounted by a small face with fine features, capped by a beautiful summit crest. Large crack in the crotch of the right leg, probably slightly restored. Vertical crack on the torso starting from the neck. Multiple slight cracks on the headdress. Bright, earthy patina, pigment residue. Several parts missing, notably the rear buttocks and the base. Wear and erosion. --- Large crack in the crotch on right leg, probably slight restorations. Vertical crack on torso starting from neck. Multiple slight cracks on the headdress. Glossy, earthy patina, pigment residue. Some shortcomings on various parts, especially at the back of the buttocks and misses the base. Wear and erosion.