Protector of the home
Item
Object Title
Protector of the home
Object ID
AR_0001_03_0006
Created By
Lobi artisans
Date
1870-1920
Owned By
Florida A&M University Meek-Eaton Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum
Medium
wood
Dimensions
H x W: 63cm x 23cm I 25" x 9"
Description
The oldest pieces in this collection, estimated to have been created between 1870 and 1920, represent a highly stylized human-like form that protects a specific domain, be that the home, the flock, the hunters, or the plantain crop. The spirits are not particularly threatening and have a calm appearance. They are modest in presentation and offer a nearly passive level of guardianship. These early pieces also demonstrate a willingness to suffer and accept pain instead of subjecting their charge to pain and suffering. These pieces seem to be created by the same artisan, with striking similarities in the faces of the spirits and the animals that accompany them, including a lamb and a serpent.
The artisans stained the carved figures, leaving the wooden base unstained. This detail was not visible on any of the spirits prior to cleaning and restoration which removed many layers of accumulated dust as a hard scale.
Protector of the home
This piece, together with ‘Protector of the flocks of sheep’ and ‘Protector of providers’ on the following pages, are examples of early field spirits.
The artisans stained the carved figures, leaving the wooden base unstained. This detail was not visible on any of the spirits prior to cleaning and restoration which removed many layers of accumulated dust as a hard scale.
Protector of the home
This piece, together with ‘Protector of the flocks of sheep’ and ‘Protector of providers’ on the following pages, are examples of early field spirits.
Object Notes
The spirit holds what appears to be a two-scooped spoon with the left hand.
The spirit holds the home with its feet.
Notice that other spirits also secure their charge with their feet as well.
The spirit holds the home with its feet.
Notice that other spirits also secure their charge with their feet as well.
Special Notes
Early-dated field spirits
Subject Of
Field Spirits of the Fante
Placed Used
Ghana, Africa
Collection Title
Field Spirits of the Fante
Classification
African Artifacts and Objects
Topic
Agriculture
Labor
Spirituality
Superstitions
African Culture
Indigenous Religion
Farming
Labor
Spirituality
Superstitions
African Culture
Indigenous Religion
Farming
Credit Line
Collection of the Meek-Eaton Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum, Gift of Nana Araba Apt, Marian Sylvia Horowitz, and Richard Douglas, Ph.D.
Restrictions and Rights
All rights reserved. The use of any part of these objects and photographs transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or stored in a retrieval system without the prior written consent of MEBA is an infringement of the copyright law.
Photograph Rights Holder
Photo Rights and Courtesy Reserved to Melanie Reyes Photography, and Richard Douglass, Ph.D. NO RIGHTS TO USE THESE IMAGES WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT. SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT (c)2023
Spatial Coverage
en
On Display
Title
AR_0001_03_0006