Standing ancestor figure

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, characteristic posture, striking: the beautiful curved neck harmonically merging in symmetrical arranged arms, small head with side lobes and crested coiffure, slightly dam., cracks, minor missing parts, paint rubbed off in some areas, on plate;
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.