Colon figure: Highly decorated officer · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3037504
sold
EUR 400
Size
H: 28,5 cm
H: 11.2 inch
Description
light wood, white, red and black paint, noble uniform, oversize sun helmet with feather ornament, european facial features and moustache, slightly dam. (rim of the hat);
a work of the artist Thomas Ona Odulate from Ijebu-Ode Yoruba, Nigeria. Ona moved to Lagos in the 1940s where he produced carvings for sale. Ona was fascinated by the dress and accoutrements of power, and his figures of Europeans mostly represent British colonials in formal dress. His oeuvre included the European lawyer, missionary, polo player, sergeant, British captain, policeman as well as the African king etc.
Comparing literature
Stevenson, M. & M. Graham-Stewart, The Mlungu in Africa, 2003. p. 97