Door wing "mgbo ezi"
Nigeria, Igbo
not available anymore
Provenance
Alain Dufour, Saint Maur, France (collected in the 1960’s)Lucien van de Velde, Antwerp, Belgium
Size
M: 132,5 cm x 53 cm
M: 52.2 inch x 20.9 inch
Description
heavy wood (“iroko”),brown patina, remains of pigments, carved with geometrical decor, central motif: two concentric circles on top of each other, min. dam., cracks, missing parts, traces of abrasion, base;
the favoured wood for doors and panels is “iroko”, a hardwood associated with males, power, and certain mysteries. An “iroko” tree can only be felled after ritual precautions and sacrifice to placate the strong spirit within. This is never a casual undertaking and usually involves many men, for these trees are often giants.
Comparing literature
Cole, Herbert M. & Chike C. Aniakor, Igbo Arts, Los Angeles 1984, p. 70, ill. 121Publications
Galerie Afrique (ed.), Ibo, Saint Maur 2004, ill. 64AHDRC: 0095304