Pair of figures "bateba phuwe." Lobi, Burkina Faso.
Wood, greyish-brown encrusted (sacrificial) patina, a male and a female figure, regular, schematized features, "phisa" coiffure, slightly dam, minor missing parts (foot tips), cracks, the upper layer of the encrusted surface removed in some areas (insect caused damage), on blocklike base; regarding the modelling of arms and legs or special details like the grooved spine, both figures seem to be uniform. But considered as a whole the female figure is much more perfected, shoulders, breast- and back-area are modelled more powerful and harmonious, so that the bigger female can be regarded as the work of a master, while the male might be a work of a scholar or workshop. The analog patina in any case points to a common place of original location. According to the Lobi, god once sent the "thila" to the people, who should take care of their well-being and should sustain the organization of society. The "thila" used to contact men, more rarely women, and order the building of a shrine and the carving of the "bateba" figures. The sooth sayer "buor" acts as mediator between the "thila" and the people. He is consulted because of various reasons, for example in case of any disaster or sickness. The "bateba" figures come alive and active when they are positioned on a shrine. They combine human appearance and certain superhuman qualities of the "thila", they are their assistants to a certain extent. Accordingly "bateba" are able to recognize witches and fight them, as well as prevent harm, imposed by the witches. They were called "bateba duntundara". At which four types are distinguished: the "bateba phuwe" (the so-called "ordinary bateba"), the "bateba bambar" ("paralyzed bateba"), the "bateba ti puo" ("dangereous persons") and the "bateba ti bala" (the extraordinary persons"). Present figures belong to the ordinary "bateba phuwe", because they show no special gesture or any odd physiological attribute. There is no difference in strength between male and female "bateba", and even the size seems to have no influence on their fighting power. At which "bateba", as big in size as the present ones, are only rare to be found nowadays.
Height: 82 cm (male), 84 cm (female)
Estimate: 18000 - 40000 €
Wood, greyish-brown encrusted (sacrificial) patina, a male and a female figure, regular, schematized features, "phisa" coiffure, slightly dam, minor missing parts (foot tips), cracks, the upper layer of the encrusted surface removed in some areas (insect caused damage), on blocklike base; regarding the modelling of arms and legs or special details like the grooved spine, both figures seem to be uniform. But considered as a whole the female figure is much more perfected, shoulders, breast- and back-area are modelled more powerful and harmonious, so that the bigger female can be regarded as the work of a master, while the male might be a work of a scholar or workshop. The analog patina in any case points to a common place of original location. According to the Lobi, god once sent the "thila" to the people, who should take care of their well-being and should sustain the organization of society. The "thila" used to contact men, more rarely women, and order the building of a shrine and the carving of the "bateba" figures. The sooth sayer "buor" acts as mediator between the "thila" and the people. He is consulted because of various reasons, for example in case of any disaster or sickness. The "bateba" figures come alive and active when they are positioned on a shrine. They combine human appearance and certain superhuman qualities of the "thila", they are their assistants to a certain extent. Accordingly "bateba" are able to recognize witches and fight them, as well as prevent harm, imposed by the witches. They were called "bateba duntundara". At which four types are distinguished: the "bateba phuwe" (the so-called "ordinary bateba"), the "bateba bambar" ("paralyzed bateba"), the "bateba ti puo" ("dangereous persons") and the "bateba ti bala" (the extraordinary persons"). Present figures belong to the ordinary "bateba phuwe", because they show no special gesture or any odd physiological attribute. There is no difference in strength between male and female "bateba", and even the size seems to have no influence on their fighting power. At which "bateba", as big in size as the present ones, are only rare to be found nowadays.
Height: 82 cm (male), 84 cm (female)
Estimate: 18000 - 40000 €
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