Zemanek-Münster

Anthropomorphic head

Burkina Faso, Lobi
sold EUR 1,000
Provenance
Samir Borro, Brussels, Belgium
Size
H: 12,5 cm (chin-back of the head)
H: 4.9 inch (chin-back of the head)

Description

fired clay, remains of red and black paint, beautiful modelled regular facial features, hairdo in five lobes, fragmentary;
two kinds of objects from clay “jar” were made for the “thila”, receptacles and “bateba” figures, both were used on shrines. The specialists who made them were called “bateba me” - “bateba builder” and “blo me” - “pot builder”. According to Piet Meyer, human figures with such human heads from fired clay were found in areas where the “natye” and “uer” cult had been established.


Comparing literature

Meyer, Piet, Kunst und Religion der Lobi, Zürich 1981, p. 156 ff.

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