250105.JE - Large Authentic African Pregnant Lobi Woman sculpture - Burkina Faso
Large Authentic African Pregnant Lobi Woman sculpture - Burkina Faso.
Hand carved from a single piece of wood and collected in the 1960s
Size: 110 cm high and more then 35 kilo.
This Lobi sculpture are dated mid 20th century and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Large Pregnant Lobi Woman sculpture.
A woman kneels with her hands on her thigh and one hand under her pregnant belly and looks out to the horizon. The features are both simple and realistic, typical of Lobi sculpture. The patina is dark and smooth and there are visible drought cracks (see photos) caused by the dehydration to which it was exposed.
Fertility and pregnancy are central themes of many African cultures, and are depicted in this sculpture, as evidenced by the volume of the belly and chest of this pregnant Lobi woman.
Lobi communities are organized around nature spirits. When honored, these spirits show their benevolence in the form of heavy rains, good health, numerous births. If ignored, they remove it and lead to devastating epidemics, drought and suffering. These figurines are placed on the graves in a dark corner of the owner's house, with many other sculptures embodying other positive spirits, as it takes many to face the many threats of the rural world of West Africa.
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