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Lobi Fertility Figure (Cote d'Ivoire):
Lobi Fertility Figure (Cote d'Ivoire)
A Lobi female fertility figure
is carved in plank form with arms at the side and knees slightly bent. The figure has prominent shoulder blades and breasts, a protruding stomach and a large navel. Arms and hips are carved in relief and the low-definition hands are clasping the stomach. The flat oval face has a large bulbous nose, a slit open mouth and eye sockets with old resin deposits. The coiffure has three deep grooves running from the forehead to the back of the crown. It also has light diagonal incisions with cross-hatching; The platform feet have been natively repaired; a patchy patina shows high wear in places.
Material: wood; height: 490mm; width: 80mm; depth: 150mm.
Provenance:
Collected from the village of Koutiala in northern Cote d'Ivoire in 2000. Acquired by LukLuk Gallery from a private collection in 2001.
This sculpture represents one of the Lobi bush spirits and, in this case, its function is to ensure fertility within the village.
Discussion:
Comparison:
Artefact Code: AF0053
Lobi Fertility Figure (Cote d'Ivoire) Lobi Fertility Figure (Cote d'Ivoire) (back view)
Map of Africa showing the tribal area of the Lobi in northeast Cote d'Ivoire West Africa: Tribal area of the Lobi people located in the northeast Cote d'Ivoire.
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