Janiform protective figure "thil dokpa" · Burkina Faso, Lobi · ID: 3052166
not available anymore
Provenance
Thomas L. McNemar, Lexington, Virginia, USASize
H: 28,5 cm
H: 11.2 inch
Description
wood, base
“Bateba” figures with janus head or body were called “thil dokpa” - “glued thil”. They belong to the so-called “extraordinary people” (“ti bala”), who show unusal physical characteristics. Such “bateba” are believed to have special power. The Lobi thought that an unusual outward appearance is equivalent to unusual talents and skills.
The object Janiform protective figure “thil dokpa” with the object ID 3052166 was last part of the auction Collectors’ Items Sale at September 24, 2025 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 116.
You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.