African Arts Gallery

Couple figured back to back, symbolizing complementarity. Khaki brown patina, golden highlights. Populations from the same cultural region, grouped under the name "lobi," make up one-fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Not very numerous in Ghana, they also settled in the north of Côte d'Ivoire. It was at the end of the eighteenth century that the Lobi , coming from northern Ghana, settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, the Dagara, Dian, Gan, and Birifor.

Carved figurine for individual use, for, according to Lobi beliefs, a protective or therapeutic action. These statuettes were placed on the altar after a ritual to be the receptacle of a bush spirit, the Thil, and thus become an active being, an intermediary fighting against sorcerers and all other harmful forces. When honored, these spirits would manifest their benevolence in the form of abundant rains, good health, and numerous births; ignored, they would withdraw it and bring devastating epidemics, drought, and suffering.
They are supposed to transmit to the diviners the laws that the followers must follow in order to enjoy their protection.
They are represented by wooden or copper sculptures called Bateba (large or small, figurative or abstract, they adopt different ...

Minimalism and stylization for this figure of African tribal art coated with a rusty ochre patina. Riding an equine, this couple is equipped with a hoe, symbolizing the work of the earth, but also a shield, linked to the status of warrior. The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name " lobi ", make up one-fifth of Burkina Faso's population. Few in Ghana, they also settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi, from northern Ghana, established themselves among the Thuna and Puguli Autochtons, Dagara, Dian, Gan and Birifor. The Lobi believe in a creator God named Thangba Thu , to whom they address through the worship of many intermediate spirits, the Thil, the latter being supposed to protect them, with the help of the sooth, ...

The carved pattern of this Lobi object is supposed to contain the "khele", a power present in every human being and which, following the death of an individual or an animal, must be mastered in order not to harm. Golden brown patina, shiny. Cracks.
The populations of the same cultural region, grouped together under the name "Lobi", form one fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Although they are not very numerous in Ghana, they have also settled in the north of the Ivory Coast. In the late 18th century, the Lobi came from northern Ghana and settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, the Dagara, Dian, Gan and Birifor. The Lobi believe in a creator God named Thangba Thu, to whom they turn through the worship of numerous intermediate spirits, the Thil, who are supposed to ...

The carved pattern of this Lobi object is supposed to contain the "khele", a power present in every human being and which, following the death of an individual or an animal, must be mastered in order not to harm. Golden brown patina, shined by use. The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name "Lobi", make up one fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Although they are not numerous in Ghana, they have also settled in the north of the Ivory Coast. In the late 18th century, the Lobi came from northern Ghana and settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, the Dagara, Dian, Gan and Birifor. The Lobi believe in a creator God named Thangba Thu, to whom they turn through the worship of numerous intermediate spirits, the Thil, who are supposed to protect them, with ...

Ex Belgian African art collection.
Among the items of African furniture of daily use, an ancient lobi seat from Burkina Faso, which is supported by large cylindrical legs. This type of stool for individual use marked the social rank of its owner and was not lent in any case.
"The most important element of African furniture remains without question the seat, linked to the social rank of its owner. Travelers' accounts from the 17th and 18th centuries indicate that when a chief moved, his seat followed him, carried by a servant. "African objects L. Meyer. Antique stool, with eroded and cracked wood. The populations of the same cultural region, grouped together under the name "Lobi", form one fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Few in number in Ghana, they also ...

Among the elements of African furniture of daily use, an ancient seat lobi from Burkina Faso, rectangular, which four massive legs support. This type of stool for individual use marked the social rank of its owner and was not lent in any case.
The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name "Lobi", make up one fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Although they are not very numerous in Ghana, they have also settled in the north of the Ivory Coast. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi, coming from northern Ghana, settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, the Dagara, Dian, Gan and Birifor.
Patina of use, light golden brown, abrasions.

The figurative motif of this carved object is supposed to contain, according to the Lobi, the "khele", a power present in every human being. Lustrous golden patina. Populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name "Lobi," make up a fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Sparsely populated in Ghana, they also settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire. It was in the late 18th century that the Lobi , coming from northern Ghana, settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, the Dagara, Dian, Gan, and Birifor. The Lobi believe in a creator God named Thangba Thu, to whom they turn through the worship of numerous intermediate spirits, the Thil, who are supposed to protect them, with the help of the diviner, against a host of plagues.
Litt. "Sculptures of the Three Volta" ...

Among the elements of African furniture of daily use, an ancient seat lobi from Burkina Faso, which three legs support, one of which is oblique. This type of stool for individual use marked the social rank of its owner and was not lent in any case.
The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name "Lobi", make up one fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Although they are not very numerous in Ghana, they have also settled in the north of the Ivory Coast. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi, coming from northern Ghana, settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, the Dagara, Dian, Gan and Birifor.
Patina of use, grayish beige, abrasions and cracks.

The Lobi ethic group are organized around nature spirits. When they are worship, these spirits send copious rains, good health and numerous births Neglected, they give curses and sufferings.. These spirits convey laws to the diviners which must be applied to get their protection. They are featured by figures made out of wood or copper called Boteba and put on altars in a corner of the owner's house, with lots of other sculptures.

Minimalism for this anthropomorphic figure in black iron. A graceful male figure that seems to be propelled by contrast thanks to the size of its body. Crusty mottled patina. The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name "Lobi", make up one fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Although they are not very numerous in Ghana, they have also settled in the north of the Ivory Coast. It was at the end of the eighteenth century that the Lobi , coming from northern Ghana, settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, the Dagara , the Dian , the Gan and the Birifor . The Lobi believe in a creator God named Thangba Thu, to whom they turn through the worship of numerous intermediate spirits, the Thil, the latter being supposed to protect them, with the help of the ...

This hemispherical container, a jar equipped with a neck, is said to fall into the category of "bulabir", which become sacred after the death of their owner (Daniela Bologno). The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name "lobi", form one fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. They are not very numerous in Ghana and have also settled in the north of the Ivory Coast. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi, coming from northern Ghana, settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, the Dagara, the Dian, the Gan and the Birifor. The Lobi believe in a creator God named Thangba Thu, to whom they turn through the worship of numerous intermediate spirits, the Thil, who are supposed to protect them, with the help of the diviner, against a host of plagues. ...

Minimalism for this anthropomorphic figure in black iron. The spindly, splayed limbs and long, graceful neck give this figure a somewhat gauche look. Mottled crusty patina. The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name "Lobi", make up one fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Although they are not very numerous in Ghana, they have also settled in the north of the Ivory Coast. It was at the end of the eighteenth century that the Lobi , coming from northern Ghana, settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, the Dagara , the Dian , the Gan and the Birifor . The Lobi believe in a creator God named Thangba Thu, to whom they turn through the worship of numerous intermediate spirits, the Thil, the latter being supposed to protect them, with the help of the ...

This anthropomorphic sculpture, the Bateba, which is supposed to fight against evil forces, has a head facing to the left, offering a severe physiognomy, frowning eyebrows and a pouting mouth. The body is also slightly swaying. The surface reveals the adze strokes. Dull patina, marks of age.
When honored, these spirits manifest their benevolence in the form of abundant rains, good health, numerous births; Ignored, they withdraw it and bring devastating epidemics, drought and suffering.
These spirits transmit to the diviners the laws that the followers must follow to receive their protection.
They are represented by wooden or copper sculptures called Bateba (large or small, figurative or abstract, they adopt different attitudes that symbolize the particular power or ...

Among the African furniture items of daily use, an ancient lobi seat from Burkina Faso, which five angular legs support. This type of stool for individual use marked the social rank of its owner and was not lent in any case.
The populations of the same cultural region, grouped together under the name "Lobi", form one fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Although they are not very numerous in Ghana, they have also settled in the north of the Ivory Coast. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi, coming from northern Ghana, settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, the Dagara, Dian, Gan and Birifor.
Patina of use, cracks and erosions.

This is a three-foot stool with a clear patina.
The use of it over the decades strengthened the close ties between the owner and the room so that at his death, the seat was placed on the family altar and served as an interface to communicate with the soul of the deceased.

The lobi communities are organized around the spirits of nature. When honored, these spirits show their benevolence in the form of heavy rains, good health, and many births. Ignored, they remove it and lead to devastating epidemics, drought and suffering.

The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name one-fifth of Burkina Faso's population. Few in Ghana, they also settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi, coming from northern Ghana, settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, the Dagara, the Dian, the Gan and the Birifor. The Lobi believe in a creator God named Thangba Thu , to whom they address through the worship of many intermediate spirits, the Thil, the latter being supposed to protect them, with the help of the sooth, from a host of plagues. Bush geniuses, red-haired beings called Kontuor , are also expected to help them. To communicate with men, the different Thils ask for sculptures of bateba in order to be incarnated. Various sacred altars are erected around the ...

Ex-collection of French African art.
This sculpture Bateba was placed on the altar after a ritual in order to become the receptacle of a bush spirit, the Thil, and thus become an active being, an intermediary in the fight against sorcerers and all other harmful forces. It has the hairstyle of the great initiates, linked to religious power. In a frontal attitude, the bust is straight, but the neck is slightly offset, the ancestor raises his arm in a gesture of defense and protection. Granular matte patina. Tiny crack of desiccation.
When they are honored, these spirits would manifest their benevolence in the form of heavy rains, good health, and many births; ignored, they withdraw it and cause devastating epidemics, drought, and suffering.
They are represented by ...

Ex-collection German African art.
The Luba are renowned for their statuary and in particular their neck-bearings and stools made up of a cariatidic figure. In this case it is a crouching female figure, the embodiment of the royalty and spirit of the ancestors. The neck supports were also used to support the heads of the deceased, and sometimes, according to Albert Maesen, buried in their place. Crack on one arm. Satin-red brown patina. Powdery residues. The Luba (Baluba in Tchiluba) are a people of Central Africa. Their cradle is the Katanga, specifically the region of the Lubu River, hence the name (Baluba, which means the Lubas). They were born from a secession of the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of Ilunga Kalala who killed the old king Kongolo, who has since been ...

Ex-Collection Belgian tribal art.
Represented frontally, hands arranged on either side of the sex, this African statue Lobi has a face with meditative appearance. The closed eyelids, treated horizontally like the mouth, give a serious face that leans on the chest. This ancient wooden sculpture, the Bateba, was placed on the altar after a ritual to become the receptacle of a spirit of the bush, the Thil, and thus become an active, intermediate being who fights against sorcerers and all other harmful forces. The golden patina is particularly glossy. Small xylophageal damage stopped. When they are honored, these spirits show their benevolence in the form of abundant rains, good health, many births; Ignored, they remove it and lead to devastating epidemics, drought and suffering . These ...

The Bateba sculptures of African art Lobi
Sculpted in a conventional position, this male character is called the ordinary U-022bateba" (phuwé) as opposed to the Bateba frozen in attitudes such as raised arms, sitting, etc. An impression of serene interiority emerges from this figure. A long dorsal rib highlights his spine. Prolonged massive legs of strong and wide feet also give it some power. Grainy nuanced patina. This wooden effigy, the Bateba, was placed on the altar after a ritual to become the receptacle of a bush spirit, the Thil, and thus become an active, intermediate being that fights against sorcerers and other evil forces.
When they are honoured, these spirits show their benevolence in the form of heavy rains, good health, numerous births; Ignored, they remove it ...