Description:

West Africa, Burkina Faso, Lobi peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A lovely, hand-carved wooden female figure known as a bateba phuwe, which translates to "ordinary wooden carved figure," with delineated legs, a distended abdomen, pointed breasts, and slender arms held parallel to her body. Resting upon her stocky neck is a bald head which boasts bulging eyes beneath an arched brow, a triangular nose, and full lips, all flanked by a pair of cupped ears. Bateba phuwe served a role of protection from witchcraft and would be placed in shrines to act as an assistant to a protective spirit. Size: 1.9" W x 9.4" H (4.8 cm x 23.9 cm); 10.3" H (26.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Dr. Edward A. Spiegel collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#163879

  • Condition: A few minor nicks and abrasions. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice patina.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

January 9, 2022 9:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 30.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000