Lobi Bateba Betise thilbou khe mounkha

This captivating wooden statue, crafted by the Lobi people of Burkina Faso, depicts a couple engaged in a sexual act.
The "thilbou khe mounkha" are prescribed to single men so they can find a wife and to women and couples to avoid sterility and/or to be blessed with child. The couple's figures are rendered with a sense of realism and emotion, highlighting the importance of sexuality and fertility within their cultural context.

Specs:

• Origin: Lobi people, Burkina Faso
• Material: Wood
• Dimensions: 21 cm tall, 13 cm wide
• Date: Early 20th century

Expected surface wear with scuffs, chips, abrasions commensurate with age and use. The wood has developed a warm patina resulting from age and use.