Large Thilbou-Kontin figure, Lobi, Burkina Faso - Lot 38

Large Thilbou-Kontin figure, Lobi, Burkina Faso Early 20th century Carved wood Height: 84 cm Provenance : Private collection, Paris Bibliography : Bognolo Daniela, 2007, Lobi, Milan, Editions 5 continents, p.149 --- Large figure Thilbou-Kontin, Lobi, Burkina Faso Early 20th century Carved wood Height: 84 cm Source: Private collection, Paris Bibliography: Bognolo Daniela, 2007, Lobi, Milan, Editions 5 continents, p.149 Undeniably dynamic, striking posture, rhythm of movement, sensuality and fluidity of line, contrasting with its imposing muscular mass. This statue of naturalistic proportions stands out for its monumentality. Giving particular importance to dynamic volumes and purity of form, Lobi statuary constitutes a rich corpus, whose sculptural quintessence is expressed through the great statues of thilkotina ancestors fashioned by thiteldara kotina master sculptors. These communal effigies, representing the clan's ancestors, are kept by family heads in a dedicated room within soukala homes. In contrast to the rigorous, long, angular volumes of the limbs, the curvature of the buttocks and the roundness of the abdomen with its protruding umbilicus are exalted by the superb arch of the back. The head, with its impenetrable face imbued with serenity, is raised towards the sky, in an attitude symbolizing the effigy's powerful and sacred link with clan spiritual entities. its superb fluidity of line, its posture. Supple forms and rhythmic volumes accentuated by the dynamic pose - which can be semi-recumbent, or with the bust bent towards the ground. Arms delicately resting at the base of the thighs A small, rounded, asymmetrical bust 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. Naturalist facial features. Browner patina, eroded by time. The deep erosion of the hardwood attests to the age of this important and beautiful cult statue. In view of the large corpus of Lobi statuary, ethnologists agree, according to Gottschalk (1999: 124 and 116), that "large statues are attached to lineages, initiation rites and social life". This large statuary - comparatively rare - personifies the power of village-founding ancestors or the great healers of yesteryear. Evoking the dead and spirits, Lobi sculptures are essentially protective. The wood's veins, like veins, majestically enliven this specimen and bear poetic witness to the passage of time on the wood. ---- Undeniable and striking dynamic of the posture, rhythm of movements, sensuality and fluidity of lines contrasting with its imposing muscle mass. This statue with naturalistic proportions is distinguished by its monumentality. With particular emphasis on the dynamism of volumes, the purity of form, the Lobi statuary constitutes a rich corpus, whose sculptural quintessence is expressed through the large statues of thilkotina ancestors shaped by the master sculptors thiteldara kotina. These community effigies, representing the ancestors of the clan, are kept by the heads of families in a dedicated room within the soukala houses. To the rigour of the angular and long-tailed volumes of the limbs respond, in contrast, the curve of the buttocks and the rounding of the abdomen to the protruding umbilical, exalted by the superb camber of the back. The head, with its impenetrable face imbued with serenity, is raised towards heaven, in an attitude symbolizing the powerful and sacred link of the effigy with clan spiritual entities. his superb fluidity of lines, his posture. Flexibility of forms and rhythm of volumes accentuated by the dynamism of the pose - which can be semi-reclining, or the bust leaning towards the ground. The arms gently placed at the birth of the thighs. his superb fluidity of lines, his posture. Flexibility of forms and rhythm of volumes accentuated by the dynamism of the pose - which can be semi-reclining, or the bust leaning towards the ground. The arms gently placed at the birth of the thighs A small rounded asymmetrical chest intensifies the movement of the shoulders (one of which is slightly lowered), 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. Naturalistic facial features rendered. Patina more brown, eroded by time. The deep erosion of hard wood attests to the antiquity of this important and very beautiful cult statue. In view of the large corpus of Lobi statuary, ethnologists agree, according to Gottschalk (1999: 124 and