Head stake "baathil" · Burkina Faso, Lobi · ID: 3041582
Edith Hafter, Solothurn, Switzerland (1965)
Christie’s, Paris, 11 June 2012, lot 42
Description
wood, post-like neck with remains of red pigment, accurately carved neck with rich dark brown, slightly shiny patina, min. dam., small missing parts, slight traces of abrasion, base;
such head stakes are meant as support for “khele”, a terrible power released by a killing. It is thrust into a mount of earth to form a “milkuur” shrine. The practice of carving a head without a body and sticking it on a shrine to symbolize the great power acquired by the murderers in the “milkuur” cult seems to originate from the ritual treatment that the Gan give the bodies of their kings and chief dignitaries. The bodies are always buried far away from the head.
L’objet Head stake “baathil” avec l’ID d’objet 3041582 a fait partie de la vente aux enchères 85th Tribal Art Auction dans 4 mars 2017. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 148 a atteint un prix de vente de 5 000 € pour un prix d’adjudication de 3 000 €.
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AHDRC: 0139715