Maternité ·  Nigeria, Igbo · ID: 3038517

Description

wood, kaolin, blackish brown paint, remains of red pigment, plant fibre loincloth, skin scarification marks “mbubu” on the upper part of the body, “ichi” tattoos on the face, carved with anklets and heavy-weighted tripartite coiffure, slightly dam., minor missing parts, cracks, abrasion of paint, metal plate;
this statue represents a tutelary earth goddess, “ala”, or else the wife of the male god “amadioha”, god of thunder and lightning. The presence of the child recalls the power of these gods to grant life. They are also protectors, guardians of morality, and responsible for the unity and well being of their people.

The object Maternité with the object ID 3038517 was part of the auction 80th Tribal Art Auction on June 27, 2015. The object with the lot number 185 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,800 with an asking price of EUR 2,000.

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Comparing literature

Lebas, Alain (ed.), Arts of Nigeria in French Private Collections, Milan 2012, ill. 109 Cole, Herbert M. & Chike C. Aniakor, Igbo Arts, Los Angeles 1984, p. 89 ff.