Zemanek-Münster

Protective figure "tau-wandoa"

Nigeria, Chamba
not available anymore
Provenance
Martial Bronsin, Brussels, Belgium
Didier Claes, Brussels, Belgium
Size
H: 46 cm
H: 18.1 inch

Description

wood, greyish brown patina, encrusted in some areas, sacrificial traces, of characteristic form, worked on iron staff, slightly dam., cracks, corrosion, on metal base;
“tauwa” figures are pure protective figures, which should help against snake poison, but they were used at harvest festivities as well. They were kept in small houses called “wula tauwa”, where they were stuck into the bottom of ground.


Comparing literature

Fardon, Richard, Stelzig, Christine, Column to volume, London 2005, p. 79, ill. 15

Subscribe to our newsletter

Join over 10,000 tribal art collectors. Don't miss out on upcoming news and auctions.

Subscribe today