Mixed lot (2 items): Lobi, Burkina Faso: two ‘Bateba figures’ of the Lobi.
The Lobi believe in invisible and often evil spirits called ‘Thila’ (‘Thil’ in the singular). Whenever a Lobi has a problem, he goes to the ‘priest’ or soothsayer of his village and asks him for advice. The ‘priest’ requests that his client have a wood figure carved, called ‘Bateba’. Its purpose is to serve as a temporary ‘abode’ to the invisible wandering spirits. The 'Bateba' figures are then placed in shrines, where they receive sacrificial offerings, and the soothsayer can establish a contact with the ‘Thil spirit’. Both present ‘Bateba figures' date back to the first half of the 20th century, were used as cult objects and display a good usage patina:
1: Small, female ‘Bateba figure’, standing, in classic Lobi style. Made of wood, dyed black, with traces of sacrificial offerings. H: 17.5 cm.
2: Large, standing, male ‘Bateba figure’ with a head the two faces of which look in opposite directions, one to the left, the other to the right. ‘Bateba figures’ of this type protect the house because they ‘see everything’. Made of undyed hard wood, with good patina. H: 24 cm. (ME)
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
24.03.2014 - 16:00
- Stima:
-
EUR 1.000,- a EUR 1.200,-
Mixed lot (2 items): Lobi, Burkina Faso: two ‘Bateba figures’ of the Lobi.
The Lobi believe in invisible and often evil spirits called ‘Thila’ (‘Thil’ in the singular). Whenever a Lobi has a problem, he goes to the ‘priest’ or soothsayer of his village and asks him for advice. The ‘priest’ requests that his client have a wood figure carved, called ‘Bateba’. Its purpose is to serve as a temporary ‘abode’ to the invisible wandering spirits. The 'Bateba' figures are then placed in shrines, where they receive sacrificial offerings, and the soothsayer can establish a contact with the ‘Thil spirit’. Both present ‘Bateba figures' date back to the first half of the 20th century, were used as cult objects and display a good usage patina:
1: Small, female ‘Bateba figure’, standing, in classic Lobi style. Made of wood, dyed black, with traces of sacrificial offerings. H: 17.5 cm.
2: Large, standing, male ‘Bateba figure’ with a head the two faces of which look in opposite directions, one to the left, the other to the right. ‘Bateba figures’ of this type protect the house because they ‘see everything’. Made of undyed hard wood, with good patina. H: 24 cm. (ME)
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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Hotline dell'acquirente
lun-ven: 10.00 - 17.00
kundendienst@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 200 |
| Asta: | Tribal Art |
| Tipo d'asta: | Asta in sala |
| Data: | 24.03.2014 - 16:00 |
| Luogo dell'asta: | Wien | Palais Dorotheum |
| Esposizione: | 18.03. - 24.03.2014 |