Cassandra D'Cruz
Specialist, Head of Sale
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Lot 46
Lobi Janus Figure, Burkina Faso
13 November 2018, 11:00 EST
New YorkUS$4,000 - US$6,000
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Lobi Janus Figure, Burkina Faso
bateba
height 17in (43.2cm)
Provenance
Jean-Paul Delcourt, Abidjan
Swiss Private Collection, acquired in the 1950s
Thence by descent
Carved in hard wood depicting a janus male and female figure sharing the same legs, torso, arms, neck, ears and head, each face with extended jaws, broad pursed lips, triangular nose, protruding bulbous eyes and lightly elevated curved eyebrows; each torso with broad shoulders above rounded, angular breasts and a protuberant umbilical; light to dark brown patina with encrusted kaolin, particularly to the male side.
As noted by Kate Ezra, "The artistic importance of [Lobi] work lies in an enduring simplicity, in the fine, lyrical expression of the mouth, which harmonizes with the large, three-dimensional eyes in the shape of coffee beans. [. . .] These figures can be seen on the roof, inside the house or before the entrance. When sacrifices are offered lavishly to them, the figures strengthen the faithfulness of wives, assure the growth of the fields, protect against illness and theft and give their advice through the voice of the oracle." (The Art of Black Africa, New York Graphic Society Ltd., 1972, p. 58)
height 17in (43.2cm)
Provenance
Jean-Paul Delcourt, Abidjan
Swiss Private Collection, acquired in the 1950s
Thence by descent
Carved in hard wood depicting a janus male and female figure sharing the same legs, torso, arms, neck, ears and head, each face with extended jaws, broad pursed lips, triangular nose, protruding bulbous eyes and lightly elevated curved eyebrows; each torso with broad shoulders above rounded, angular breasts and a protuberant umbilical; light to dark brown patina with encrusted kaolin, particularly to the male side.
As noted by Kate Ezra, "The artistic importance of [Lobi] work lies in an enduring simplicity, in the fine, lyrical expression of the mouth, which harmonizes with the large, three-dimensional eyes in the shape of coffee beans. [. . .] These figures can be seen on the roof, inside the house or before the entrance. When sacrifices are offered lavishly to them, the figures strengthen the faithfulness of wives, assure the growth of the fields, protect against illness and theft and give their advice through the voice of the oracle." (The Art of Black Africa, New York Graphic Society Ltd., 1972, p. 58)
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