Traditional Lobi Slingshot In Carved Wood, Late 19th-early 20th Century

Finely carved slingshot, representing a seated female figure. The long arms are stretched towards the sky in a symbolic gesture, while the rounded belly and youthful chest evoke motherhood or fertility. The face presents an expression of alertness, accentuated by wide-open eyes. A traditional skullcap or headdress delicately adorns the head. Hardwood with a shiny honey patina, the result of prolonged use. A small crack is visible in the middle of the chest and a discreet chip at the end of a foot, but the whole remains in good general condition of conservation. Lobi, Burkina Faso, late 19th - early 20th century. Dimensions: Height: 16 cm, width: 9 cm. Provenance: Former private collection, Paris. Sold with base and certificate of authenticity from the expert Serge Reynes. Guarantee of origin and period. * Shipping costs on estimate. The Lobi slingshots go beyond their simple utilitarian function. Mainly used for hunting small game and birds, they also embody deep beliefs. Carefully sculpted, often decorated with anthropomorphic or zoomorphic motifs, they become objects charged with spirituality. This female figure, possibly pregnant, could symbolize a protective spirit or an invocation to fertility, linking the object to the continuity of life and the prosperity of the clan. Among the Lobi, these works reflect a vision where each object, even the most humble, combines aesthetics and sacred meaning. This slingshot is thus a remarkable testimony to the artistic know-how and spiritual traditions of this people.