Description
Head - Wood - Provenance Robert van der Heijden - Lobi - Burkina Faso
1st half 20th century - Vintage - used with visible signs of wear
provenance: Robert Van Der Heijden, Amsterdam.
This Lobi head had the same function as the figures and was placed on family altars in the Thilda, a small family shrine. The head represent a spirit named tibil thil. It is used as a family protection against illness and for well being. The heads are also used for divination; and receive then offerings. The shrines are trans generational and give social status when passed on from father to son. After a few generation the accumulation of figures in the shrine can become quite impressive.
This head carved with great care and attention to detail, has some insect damages, and is coming from the known expert Robert Van Der Heijden in Amsterdam.
H= 37 cm. Sold with a custom made stand.
Lot details
- Object
- Head
- Indigenous object name
- Provenance Robert van der Heijden
- Ethnic group/ culture
- Lobi
- Region/ country
- Burkina Faso
- Material
- Wood
- Period
- 1st half 20th century
- Condition
- Vintage - used with visible signs of wear
- Sold with stand
- Yes
- Dimensions
- 37×10×12 cm