African Tribal Art

Lobi Bateba Figure

Culture: Lobi
Origin: Burkina Faso
Period: Early 20th century
Object: Figure
Materials: Wood
Dimensions: 22.5 cm high
Catalogue: TRB-137

A hand-carved light wood figure of a standing nude with both male and female characteristics, apparently pregnant. Figures of this type, called bateba, were carved by both professional and non-professional carvers in Lobi society and were believed to act on behalf of the carver.

Provenance

The late Nick Poolos collection, Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, acquired before 1970.

Acquired

Artemis Fine Arts · 2024