AF001 - RARE GIANT INTACT 30 INCH SACRED AFRICAN LOBI TRIBAL HUMAN SHRINE VESSEL

Product Description

ID

Vessel

FOUND

West Africa

AGE

Late 19th Century - Early 20th Century A.D.

SIZE

30" high x 16" maximum diameter

CONDITION

NO REPAIR OR RESTORATION TO POT.
SINGLE FRACTURE REPAIR ON LID.  
COMPLETE CONDITION WITH INTACT SEDIMENT
AND MINERALS FROM AGE.

NOTE

ONE OF THE LARGEST WE HAVE SEEN
AND ONE OF THE FEW OF THIS THEME
WITH A HUMAN HEAD.

Crating and truck or air freight costs will apply

Actual Item - One Only

Comes with a certificate of authenticity / information sheet

As one of the most impressive and architecturally fascinating African tribal vessels we have ever seen, this piece just commands attention in any interior design setting.  It is an UNBROKEN and AUTHENTIC shrine vessel from the Lobi Culture of western Africa.  Most of these vessels are globular and simple spiked spheres with a small, uninteresting round lid.  Nearly all are smaller than the dimensions of this remarkable example.  What really sets this piece apart is the entire vessel has been made into a human form with a person's head at the top and removable hair for the lid.  The mouth is open and the face features large drop earrings a slightly up-turned gaze to the heavens. 

This is a heavy and robust vessel weighing in at approximately 75 pounds with thick walls.  The entire vessel is unbroken and intact.  Deep surface sediment from age and mineral encrustations provide irrefutable proof that this is an ORIGINAL AND AUTHENTIC vessel made and used 100 years ago.  Not to be confused with modern-made pieces, a prize specimen such as this is the height of authentic African tribal vessel artistry.  Minor loss and damage near the vessel opening at the top and a single fracture repair to the lid "hair".  Otherwise, entire vessel is intact and in original, unrestored condition.  Lid sits securely on top with the aid of a removable clip, added by us in place of any restoration which we deem to be much less desirable, thereby keeping the vessel in its original state.

Lobi shrine vessels such as these with a completely spiked surface were solely used for sacred purposes.  The purpose of the spike surface was to ward off evil spirits and witchcraft.   They were placed or buried inside shrines of individual families either inside the home or in the compound center.  These compounds are led by one elder who is a family head, and the compound can house from as little as a dozen to as many as eighty people of an extended family.  The vessels were filled with medicinal substances to protect against sickness or misfortune.   The shrines these vessels were placed in were small, windowless rooms that also included sacred wooden and clay figures, other vessels and an altar.  The shrines were the link of the living people with the spirit world.