Large figure "bateba ti puo" ·  Burkina Faso, Lobi · ID: 3040569

Description

wood, strongly encrusted blackish brown patina, encrustations with clay, standing figure with overlong outstretched arms, slightly dam., cracks, minor missing parts (fingers of the right hand), small traces of insect caused damage (both feet), abrasion of paint, base;
with the Lobi, the so-called “thila” are responsible to give ritual instructions to the people. The “thila” are invisible beings provided with supernatural powers and skills, who serve as mediatiors between god and the people. In case of problems the “thila” give order to have a figure sculpted. These figures are called “bateba” and have to fulfill a special task within a temporary fixed time. The Lobi differentiate between four types of “bateba” protective figures. Present figure belongs to the type of “dangerous persons” (“ti puo”), they show a defense attitude, elevating one or both hands next to the head to block the house for invisible enemies, they are even more effective in fighting witches. According to Pirat, women of the Lobi show this gesture after the death of a family member in order to ward off evil.

L’objet Large figure “bateba ti puo” avec l’ID d’objet 3040569 a fait partie de la dernière vente aux enchères 83rd Tribal Art Auction dans 28 mai 2016 le Zemanek-Münster Hôtel des ventes. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 152 a atteint un prix de vente de 4 000 €.

Vous trouverez d’autres Figures et autres types d’objets populaires sur nos pages thématiques associées. Notre page sur le thème Art africain pourrait également vous intéresser.

Publications

Pirat, Claude-Henri, La Statuaire Lobi et celles des peuples apparentés. Un exemple d'art de cult, In: Tribal Arts 1 (1994), San Francisco, p. 22