Female half figure with child

Description

wood, middle brown patina, rising from a three-parted disc-shaped base, incised scarifications on body and face, notched forehead crest, crested coiffure, painted pupils, a child with four arms on the back;
even if the maternity theme exists throughout Nigeria, research over the past few years has revealed that these figures can be found in great number in the region irrigated by the Benue, from its junction with the Niger at Lokoja, up to Wukari. They can be found amongst the Igala, the Afo, the Idoma and the Tiv. Thus the Benue region is familiar with the maternity theme - sitting or standing women, venerated in various acts of cult relating to earth and fecundity.

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