Sitting female figure · Nigeria, Idoma/Igala · ID: 3037172
Description
wood, middle brown patina, remains of white and indigo blue pigment, incised scarifications, slightly dam., missing parts (right foot), traces of insect caused damage (back), cracks (face);
the earliest known wood images of the Idoma, called “ekwotame” (=“spirit-with-breasts”), served as prototype for later shrine carvings called “anjenu”, which came from interactions with the Igala around 1900. These cult images represent bush or water spirits. “Anjenu” spirits possess people (mostly woman) and make them sick, yet if properly propitiated, they can also cure. Most womens afflictions are related to issues of fertility and health, and women are the main adherents of the “anjenu” cult.
The object Sitting female figure with the object ID 3037172 was last part of the auction 77th tribal art auction at June 28, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 286.
You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.
Expertise
Karl-Ferdinand Schädler, 01.05.2003, Munich
Comparing literature
Cole, Herbert M., Invention and Tradition, Munich, London, New York 2012, p. 84