Lobi Cast Brass Standing Figure — Burkina Faso

A vintage lost-wax cast figure of the Lobi people of Burkina Faso, West Africa. Modeled as a standing figure with an elongated columnar body, the piece is crowned by a tall pointed conical coiffure decorated with raised bosses and fine combed striations. The serene face carries lidded eyes and a defined nose, above a torso worked with beaded and hatched relief and finished with slender legs.

Figures of this kind belong to the Lobi thil spirit cult: kept on household and family shrines, they serve as protective guardians, deflecting misfortune and safeguarding the home under the guidance of a diviner. Cast in copper alloy (brass) by the lost-wax method, the surface has developed a deep, warm patina from age and handling. Its solid weight is consistent with a genuine hand-cast piece.

The piece shows genuine age and wear consistent with shrine use — a rich patina, surface irregularities from casting, and minor wear — all speaking to its history and authenticity. Please see photos as part of the description.

Details
- Culture: Lobi people
- Origin: Burkina Faso, West Africa
- Material: Cast copper alloy / brass (lost-wax "bronze")
- Height: 34 cm (13.4 in)
- Weight: 1.7 kg (3.7 lbs)
- Condition: Vintage, with age-related patina and wear consistent with use