Items Similar to Collection of Dagari Spirit Figures From Burkina Faso

Dance Head Ornament Representing an Antelope Head, Burkina Faso, Africa

Fine Bronze Pendant. Gan, Burkina Faso

African mask Toussiana bird Burkina Faso Mid XXem

Sculpture, Lobi Male Figure, Burkina Faso, Mid/Late-1900s

Fine Bronze Bangle Featuring Two Animals. Burkina Faso/Ghana

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 11

Collection of Dagari Spirit Figures From Burkina Faso

About the Item

This impressive collection of four carved wood figures are from the landlocked African country of Burkina Faso. This nation bordered by 6 other countries including Mali is home to several ethnic tribal regions. During colonial rule, this area in Africa was run by Britain, Germany and lastly France. In its earlier history, the area was ruled by many local kingdoms most notably the Mossi Kingdoms. The history which extends back well into the 12th century is rich and full. Most literature and ethnic culture is based on oral traditions and continues in tribal life to this day. The area contains large artistic communities & traditions even in modern times. The Dagari figures themselves represent the most abstract ideals of Lobi Figural carving. They are mostly frontal in presentation and aspect, enigmatic and brooding. These figures are placed on family altars in the Thilda. This is a small sacristy or chamber built in each family dwelling. Each figure is not a representation of but considered an actual spirit or Tibil Thil. Designed to protect family and home from illness, and misfortune the spirit could also be used for divination of future events. The spirit could and did demand offerings of blood & meal and also could request the placement of additional figures. An accumulation of figures within family sanctuaries increased social status considerably. Upon the death of a father the figures would be inherited by the son and became a valuable asset showing the linage and power of a family group. Three of these figures ( the three largest) are tribal made & used without question showing great wear and veneration making then sculptural and textural in their nature. One is questionable as to it ever having been used and venerated. The three largest ones are set on museum-quality bronze bases while the small forth one is on a wood base painted to look like the bronze ones.

Dimensions:
Height: 34 in (86.36 cm)Width: 13.5 in (34.29 cm)Depth: 7.25 in (18.42 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 4
Style:
Tribal (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Wood
Place of Origin:
Burkina Faso
Period:
1930-1939
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1930
Condition:
Additions or alterations made to the original: mounted on bases. Wear consistent with age and use. Some show ritual vereration and have some worming to wood all are in good shape ,solid and ready for display.
Seller Location:
Hudson, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: 13101581131059

More From This Seller

View All

Bronze Figures of Apollo and Vulcan

Located in Hudson, NY

Highly animated bronzes of Apollo (left) and Vulcan (right). 17th century bronze copies of 16th century Venetian marbles by Alessandro Vittoria. Patina is a rich nut brown. Apollo...

Category

Antique 17th Century Italian Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Figures of Apollo and Vulcan

$32,500 / set

Collection of Italian Specimen Marble Spheres on Stands

Located in Hudson, NY

This three-piece grouping of specimen marble spheres can be sold as the group or as a pair ( the left and right are a pair or as a single in the middle) and a single. The marble is ...

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Classical Roman Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Collection of Italian Specimen Marble Spheres on Stands

$2,875 / set

Collection of 8 Mid 20th Century Ashanti Cast Brass Gold Weights

Located in Hudson, NY

This collection of weights from the Ashanti tribe was gathered in Ghana in the middle of the 20th century. The casting of brass or bronze has been a long-standing tradition of the Ashanti tribes in this region since the 17th century but comes from the longer tradition of the Akan peoples as far back as the 1400s and continues to this day. Through trade in gold dust theses, regins have been powerful and demanding locations creating rich artistic traditions. The production of gold weights...

Category

Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Collection of 8 Mid 20th Century Ashanti Cast Brass Gold Weights

$775 / item

19th Century Marbled Terra Cotta Ball on Stand from the Estate of Bunny Mellon

Located in Hudson, NY

This Italian marbled terra cotta ball comes from Oak Springs Farm, the Virginia estate of Paul & Bunny Mellon. The sphere is late 19th century and has been set on a well-turned walnu...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Mounted Objects

Materials

Terracotta, Wood

19th Century Marbled Terra Cotta Ball on Stand from the Estate of Bunny Mellon

$2,950

Baroque Figure of Crucified Christ

Located in Hudson, NY

This unusual Baroque figure of Christ carved circa 1670 and 1700 is in a form associated with his removal from the cross after crucifixion but before his...

Category

Antique Late 17th Century Spanish Baroque Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Baroque Figure of Crucified Christ

$4,950

Cast Bronze Renaissance Revival Ewer of Massive Size

Located in Hudson, NY

This very large Bronze ewer is finely cast and has many areas of after casting hand chasing and deeply sculpted details. Done in the Renaissance revival style most associated with th...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Cast Bronze Renaissance Revival Ewer of Massive Size

$3,500

Mid-20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Art

Materials

Iron

Collection of Burkina Faso Currency

$1,100 / set

Dance Head Ornament Representing an Antelope Head, Burkina Faso, Africa

Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon

A beautiful stylized antelope head used as headdress on ceremonial dances. Retains the old painting and patina over the carved wood. Traded by a professor working in Africa in the 19...

Category

Mid-20th Century Burkinabe Primitive Busts

Materials

Wood

Dance Head Ornament Representing an Antelope Head, Burkina Faso, Africa

$3,750

Fine Bronze Pendant. Gan, Burkina Faso

Located in London, GB

This crescent-shaped bronze pendant, features a central abstract figure. Below the figure, two stylised small birds perch in the middle of the pendant. Throughout, the surface of the...

Category

Early 20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Bronze

Fine Bronze Pendant. Gan, Burkina Faso

$1,174

African mask Toussiana bird Burkina Faso Mid XXem

Located in Paris, FR

Toussiana Plank Bird from Burkina Faso Mid XXem Provenance: private Swedish collection , auction The TOUSSIAN live in the Southwest of Burkina Faso. The mask presented here is a Loni...

Category

Mid-20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

African mask Toussiana bird Burkina Faso Mid XXem

$1,002

Sculpture, Lobi Male Figure, Burkina Faso, Mid/Late-1900s

Located in Stockholm, SE

Sculpture, Lobi Male Figure with one hand pointing upwards, Burkina Faso. Mid/late-1900s. Height excl. base 13 cm. Total height 15 cm. Patina, signs of age. Provenance: Dealer and...

Category

Mid-20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Sculpture, Lobi Male Figure, Burkina Faso, Mid/Late-1900s

$1,850

Free Shipping

Fine Bronze Bangle Featuring Two Animals. Burkina Faso/Ghana

Located in London, GB

This finely cast bronze bangle is possibly Gan, or a related culture, from Burkina Faso or northern Ghana. It depicts two animals resembling chameleons which flank a central decorati...

Category