Pair of figures from an "anjenu" shrine

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Description

light wood, polychrome paint, male/female, the male wears a narrow-brimmed european hat, both he and his spirit wife lean forward, displaying a tense energy, min. dam., rep. (right foot and hand of the female figure), cracks, traces of abrasion;
carved by the artist Ochai of Otobi (died around 1950). Unlike most other artists, Ochai was a full-time sculptor and had commissions from a wide range of villages beyond Otobi. His style is bold and expressive.
Sculptures of the Idoma are quite rare. They were carved as representatives of the kinship line “ekwotame”, or as water- and bush-spirits “anjenu”.

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Comparing literature

Berns, Marla C. et. al.; Arts of the Benue River Valley, Los Angeles 2011, p. 88 f. Neyt, Francois, The Arts of the Benue, Belgien 1985, p. 113

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