Couple of shrine figures "alusi" ·  Nigeria, Igbo · ID: 3037143

Description

wood, partly encrusted patina, remains of pigments, male/femal, angled arms, presenting the palms of the hands, both with “ichi” scarifications on the forehead, the female with loincloth and anklet, rep. (breakage at the left foot of the male), fine cracks, traces of insect caused damage, slight traces of abrasion, base;
such figures were used to be kept in ritual houses of communities and families. Once a year they were presented in public. The relationship between man and deity was strengthened by celebration and sacrifices.

The object Couple of shrine figures “alusi” with the object ID 3037143 was last part of the auction 77th tribal art auction at June 28, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 288 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,200.

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Expertise

Karl-Ferdinand Schädler, 03.09.2003, Munich

Comparing literature

Wittmer, Marcilene K. & William Arnett, Three Rivers of Nigeria, Atlanta 1978, p. 15