An ancient protective Batéba statue, with a very expressive face, depicting a clan ancestor in a hieratic attitude standing with his long, tapering, almost blade-like arms at his sides. He appears to be wearing a thick, faceted necklace, unless it's a symbolic expression of something else entirely. Lobi, Burkina Faso Hardwood, old cracks and wear, visible accidents and missing parts (old breaks), very fine old oxidation, fine old ritual and wear patina. Height: 74cm Provenance: Maud and René Garcia, Paris Stéphane Kurc Collection, Paris