Batéba protective ancestor statue, Lobi, Burkina Faso - Lot 22

Batéba protective ancestor statue, Lobi, Burkina Faso Hard wood, significant erosion at base and inside, localized splash marks, fine honey patina in places Height: 42 cm Provenance: French private collection --- Statue of ancestor protector batéba figure, Lobi, Burkina Faso Hardwood, significant erosion at base and inside, localized projection remains, beautiful patina honey in places Height: 42 cm Provenance: French private collection Lobi statuary is commonly interpreted as the personification or manifestation of the thila, spirits conceived by the creator god to help mankind. Statues larger than 40 cm, such as this fine example, are, according to Gottschalk (1999: 116), associated with clans, initiation rites and social life. The male bateba, standing with semi-flexed arms linked to the body, stretches around the long, straight torso with slightly backward shoulders, reaching towards the protruding umbilicus in high relief. The face offers a naturalistic treatment - projected ears, hemmed eyelids encircling half-open eyes, triangular nose with prominent bridge, fleshy mouth in medium relief. Beautiful contrast between the rounded curves of the limbs and the triangulation typical of Lobi sculptors. The power of the sculpture is accentuated by the deep erosion exerted by time on the hard wood, covered with a thick, lumpy sacrificial patina attesting to its repeated and prolonged use. --- The Lobi statuary is commonly interpreted as the personification or manifestation of thila, spirits designed by the creator god to help men. The statues whose dimensions exceed 40 cm, such as this beautiful specimen, are, according to Gottschalk (1999: 116), attached to clans, initiation rites and social life. bateba male, standing, arms semi-flexed, connected to the body stretching around the long right bust with shoulders slightly back, advance towards the bulge protruding in high relief. The face offers a naturalistic treatment - projected ears, hemmed eyelids surrounding the open eyes, triangulation nose with protruding ridge, fleshy mouth in medium relief. Beautiful opposition between the rounded shape of the limbs and the triangulation peculiar to the art of Lobi sculptors. The power of the sculpture is accentuated by the deep erosion exerted by time on the hard wood, covered with a thick lumbering sacrificial patina attesting to its repeated and prolonged use. Age-related erosion of the wood, visible veining, traditionally missing the ends of the legs. Half of the protruding umbilicus is missing. Beautiful shiny patina on some parts of the body. --- Erosion of wood age, visible veins, as traditionally the end of the legs is missing. Half of the bulging umbilicus is missing. Beautiful glossy patina on some parts of the body.