Maternité ·  Nigeria, Igbo/Izzi · ID: 3036689

Description

wood, whitened with kaolin, black paint at the coiffure, small remains of red colour, both arms and the child worked separately and attached by nails, the right hand projecting to the front, presumably once presenting an object to the beholder, slightly dam., strong abrasion of paint, encrusted with clay, rep. (right arm/shoulder), base;
reminding of a rare female “ikenga” figure of the Igbo. Accordingly she once must have held a club in her right hand. A child and a club, emphasizing the females role as mother and protector of her offspring.

Comparing literature

Wittmer, Marcilene K. & William Arnett, Three Rivers of Nigeria, Atlanta 1978, p. 8, ill. 8