Male figure ‘Bateba"‘

Lobi Peoples, Burkina Faso

Early 20th century

56cm Tall

Provenance:

A private Dutch collection

This serene figure depicts a clasically rendered male ancestor captured in a pensive moment: one hand held upon his chest, the other resting at his side. The base is circular with no seperation of the feet, adorned by deeply carved vertical grooves around the outward face. Wooden ‘Bateba’ are made upon the request of an individual, family or household, who would typically keep them in a shrine among other similar figures. These shrines would be cared for and receive various offerings, and in return the ancestral spirits would protect the inhabitants from harm.