Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Figure
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Figure

Artist/Maker (Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Ghana)
Date20th century
Mediumwood, stain and encrustation
DimensionsOverall: 9 5/8 x 2 5/8 x 3 3/8 in. (24.4 x 6.7 x 8.6 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of Alan Potamkin
Terms
    Object number2007.48.98.2
    DescriptionA thil or nature spirit (pl. thila) may get the attention of a human by causing illness or trouble or simply appearing as an animal or object repeatedly until the person consults a diviner to help find out the reason for the problem or unusual appearances. Then the thil, through the diviner, gives instructions for a wooden figure (bateba) to be carved for it and placed in the family shrine, which is usually a small room in the house but may also be on the roof terrace, in the courtyard or somewhere else. The thil will probably also specify other objects that it wants to have placed in the shrine: pots, bottles, iron objects, rocks, terracotta’s and other wooden figures. All of the objects will receive repeated sacrifices. Diviners may also use the wooden figures as intermediaries between the human world and the thila. Periodically, the thil may ask to have additional figures and materials added to the shrine. While size is not necessarily an indication of relative importance, it seems likely that these small figures were accessories to the main bateba of their shrine.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Figure
    Lobi people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Lidded Pot
    Batak people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Shrine Figure (Ikenga)
    Nigeria, Igbo people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Vertumnus
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 200-250
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Divination Head
    Bassa people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Shaman Figure
    Colima
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Incense Burner Lid
    Teotihuacán
    ca. 400-700
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Altar (Asen)
    Fon people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Standing Kore
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 525-500 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Model for Night Presence IV
    Louise Nevelson
    1955
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Figure
    Classic Veracruz
    ca. 600-800
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    House of the Head Shrine (Ile-Ori)
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    20th century
    eMuseum
    Copyright © eMuseum