African Arts Gallery

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 wooden or copper sculptures called Bateba ...

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 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 ...

African art Lobi.
This ancient 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 and lead to devastating epidemics, drought and suffering.
These spirits pass on to the soothsayers the laws that followers must follow in order 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 talent that the mind uses to protect ...

This African sculpture was a tool of communication with ancestors, used by the soothsayer during divination rituals. Incorporating the category of objects nkisi , nkishi , it is supposed to be endowed with a secret power, receptacle of a spiritual energy. The Luba, like their neighbors, use this type of objects related to the divination kashekesheke named katatora and lubuko. According to François Neyt, the object was carved from wood (kibekwasa ) with magical properties.
When the interview, the ring was caught by the soothsayer and his client, who dragging it over a mat or headrest in response to questions (producing the sound "kashekesheke", "extraction of truth"). Considered feminine, the object is a symbol, for the Luba, of the spiritual power available to the woman, represented ...

Knee, hands arranged on either side of his prominent abdomen, this Lobi statue has a face with a meditative and serene face. Eyelids closed in a head with naturalistic features. This ancient 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 and lead to devastating epidemics, drought and suffering.
These spirits pass on to the soothsayers the laws that followers must follow in order to receive their protection.
They are represented by wooden or copper sculptures called ...

This male effigy of ancestor, wooden, named Bateba , was placed on the altar after a ritual in order to become the receptacle of a spirit of the bush, the Thil, and thus become an active being, intermediate in the fight against sorcerers and all other harmful forces. It has the hairstyle of the great initiates, linked to the religious power. Grainy patina, crusty residues following libations. Desication cracks. When 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 spirits pass on to the soothsayers the laws that followers must follow in order to receive their protection.
They are represented by wooden or copper sculptures called Bateba ...

Sculpture embodying a female lineage ancestor performed as a result of various rituals including her descendants and prescribed by the soothsayer. It is then when the lineage goes out that the statue can be ceded or abandoned. Lacking ornaments and other scarifications, she borrows a frontal posture, arms plated along the bust. Slight erosions, granular dry patina.
The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name lobi, make up one-fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. 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 ...

African art Lobi.
This little Bateba statuette, whose gnawed wood has a grainy matte patina, depicts a naked female figure. This type of statuettes were 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. Desication crack in the back.
When they are honoured, these spirits show their benevolence in the form of heavy rains, good health, numerous births; Ignored, they remove it and lead to devastating epidemics, drought and suffering.
These spirits pass on to the soothsayers the laws that followers must follow in order to receive their protection.
They are represented by wooden or copper sculptures called Bateba (large or small, ...

Rounded shapes for this African tribal statue of Lobi , comparable to that of a child, despite the presence of breasts. Summary features, in slight relief, and horizontal horseshoe ears. The feet, one of which has been damaged, and the hands remain just put on. This figure, which was to be placed on an altar, was clearly the object of libations, clear, grainy residues, forming a mottled patina mixed with kaolin and nestling down.
The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name " lobi ", make up one-fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Few in Ghana, they have also settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi , from North Ghana, established themselves among the Thuna and Puguli indigenous, Dagara, Dian, Gan and ...

The usual objects in African art.

Stools and neckrests are famous pieces in African art. Indeed, their design can vary greatly depending on the regions and ethnic groups from which they come. This piece is, like the general look conveyed in the lobi statuary, simple and solid design. The slightly curved seat is supported by four feet. The patina is clear and worn on the friction areas. The Lobi are a famous people of Burkina Faso, especially for its particular statues named Bateba, represented arms spread or raised to the sky and intended to protect the home or the village at the entrance of which they are placed.

This statue illustrates the typical aesthetic canons of the Lobi, simple features for a body and quite imposing limbs, the piece has a slender and narrow look, the elements of the face as well as the more global shapes are simplified but nevertheless retain an aspect and realistic proportions The patina is dark and slightly crusty after libations. Lobi communities are organized around nature spirits. When honored, these spirits show their benevolence in the form of abundant rains, good health, numerous births. Ignored, they remove it and cause devastating epidemics, drought and suffering. These figurines are placed on the tombs, in a dark corner of the owners' house, with many other sculptures embodying other spirits because it takes a large number to face the many threats of the rural ...

Very beautiful element of African furniture, this old bed or bench for funeral rituals presents an exceptional glossy honey patina. A bird's head, a beak ajar, adorns the end with a neck rest. Four massive feet support the plateau of the layer to which erosion has conferred an appearance of sinuousness.
The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name " lobi ", make up one-fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Few in Ghana, they have also settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi, from North 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, ...

African art among the Lobi.
The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name " lobi ", make up one-fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Few in Ghana, they have also settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi, from North 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 soothsayer, against a host of plagues. Bush geniuses, red-haired beings called Kontuor , are also expected to help them. To communicate with men, the different Thils demand sculptures of bateba in ...

Ex. French private collection
African tribal art among Lobi
The furniture is an artistic medium in its own right in African art.
Three-foot, high-backed three-foot chair. The rounded ends and notches at the edges form the only decorative motifs of this minimalist piece. Use skate, clear and lustrous.
The use that had been made 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.


Populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name " lobi ", make up one-fifth of Burkina Faso's population. Few in Ghana, they have also settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire. It was at the end of the ...

Ex-collection French African art.
This effigy of a Ligan ancestor was carved after various rituals including his descendants and prescribed by the soothsayer. It is then when the lineage goes out that the statue can be ceded or abandoned. This feminine effigy with a crest hairstyle is represented semi-flexed legs, a hand resting on the abdomen. The physiognomy suggests a deep meditation. Powerful long legs extend a prominent buttock. Desication cracks, matte powdery patina, ochre pigment residue. The populations of the same cultural region, grouped under the name " lobi ", make up one-fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Few in Ghana, they have also settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi, from North Ghana, settled among the ...

Ex. French private collection
African tribal art among Lobi
The furniture is an artistic medium in its own right in African art.
This is a three-foot, high-curved, curved monoxyle chair with a clear patina with traces of desication.
The use that had been made 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.


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

This female statue features the typical aesthetic canons of the Lobi, simple features for a body and rather imposing limbs.

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.
These figurines are placed on the tombs, in a dark corner of the owners' house, along with many other sculptures embodying other spirits as it takes many to face the many threats of the rural west African world.