Standing figure ·  Nigeria, Mumuye · ID: 3028264

Description

wood, reddish brown encrusted patina, showing an u-shaped leg zone and typical coiffure, min. dam., cracks, insect caused damage, base;
Mumuye effigies have several functions. They reinforce the traditional power of the elders and grant a priviledged status to the family group who ownes them. The most important function of these sculptures is to watch over the family enclosure and to protect its inhabitants as well as guests who are allowed to enter. The effigy, through the intermediary of the soothsayer or healer, intervenes in healing practices in times of sicknesses or epidemics. In the family context, they may also exercise a judicial function: the statue honors truth and frustrates the traps set by a liar or a thief.

The object Standing figure with the object ID 3028264 was last part of the auction 77th tribal art auction at June 28, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 321 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,800.

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Comparing literature

Wittmer, Marcilene K., Arnett, William, Three Rivers of Nigeria, Atlanta 1978, p. 90