Pair of figures
Description
wood, blackish brown patina, crude carved bodies with sloping shoulders and hanging arms, extremely stylized facial featues marked by deep notches, reminding of the triangular nose ornaments of young male initiates, a coiffure is “missing”, slightly dam., missing parts (foot tip of the female figure), cracks, traces of insect caused damage, on base;
the Mumuye are best known for their extraordinary figures, which are unique in African art for their small head, elongated columnar body, enveloping arms and unbelievably variegated hair or cap styles. Their high degree of stylistic diversity is parallelled by the variety of functions of the Mumuye figures: some were used as oracles, others in connection with healing, and still others reinforced the status of important elders as embodiments of vaguely conceived tutelary spirits.