Janus figure "bateba ti bala" · Burkina Faso, Lobi · ID: 3038111
not available anymore
Provenance
Madeleine Keller, Rheinfelden, SwitzerlandSize
H: 17 cm
H: 6.7 inch
Description
wood, slightly encrusted dark brown patina, male and female figure, back to back, sharing one pair of legs, arms and ears. min. dam., traces of abrasion;
belonging to the type of the extraordinary persons “bateba ti bala”, who are considered to be outstanding strong and powerful. The Lobi believed that an unusual outward appearance is equivalent with unusual talents and skills.
Comparing literature
Meyer, Piet, Kunst und Religion der Lobi, Zürich 1981, p. 96, ill. 97