Zemanek-Münster

Standing figure "ikenga" ·  Nigeria, Igbo · ID: 3034853

not available anymore
Provenance
Jacques Kerchache, Paris, France
Size
H: 44 cm
H: 17.3 inch

Description

wood, encrusted brown patina, abstract armless trunk, crowned by a massive pair of horns, min. dam., fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion;
“ikenga” figures are carved on the occasion of the foundation of a house because they symbolize strength and protection. When their owner died the figures were destroyed. The horns are the most important part of the figure, they are related to the god of thunder. “Ikenga” figures are formed variable, they can be carved naturalistic or abstract.


The object Standing figure “ikenga” with the object ID 3034853 was last part of the auction 73rd tribal art auction at May 25, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 247.

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.


Comparing literature

Wittmer, Marcilene K., Arnett, William, Three Rivers of Nigeria, Atlanta 1978, p. 6


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