Figure "ikenga" ·  Nigeria, Igbo · ID: 3032970

Description

wood, polychrome paint, sitting on a stool, gorgeous ornamented with bracelets and necklace, additional ornamental decor in carved or painted form, provided with knife and gun, supporting a round two storeyed superstructure on the head, carved with five heads and two birds, most characteristic attribute of the “ikenga”: the curved ram horns, slightly dam., cracks, rep. (curved ornament, bird);
a work of the same artist can be found in the Nigerian Museum in Lagos ( J. Boston, 1977, p. 84, ill. 7).
The “ikenga” symbolizes the Igbo adult male’s aggressiveness and drive to achievement and success. Before undertaking a venture requiring economic skills or physical prowess the owner makes sacrificial offerings to the “ikenga”, which embodies the spirit of the owner’ s hand. This act of worship assures him the power to accomplish his goal. He also may make sacrifices in gratitude for past success. “Ikenga” sculptures are found in a wide variety of styles, the size and form usually an indication of the status of the owner. Perhaps the best known form is the “warrior ikenga”, a horned figure often seated on a titleholder’s stool, holding a machete and a severed head.

The object Figure “ikenga” with the object ID 3032970 was part of the auction 69th tribal art auction on June 2, 2012. The object with the lot number 333 achieved a sales price of EUR 5,000 with an asking price of EUR 4,500.

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Comparing literature

Boston, John, Ikenga figures among the north-west Igbo and the Igala, London 1977, ill. 7