West Africa, Nigeria, Igbo peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden Ikenga fetish figure of an intriguing form with a flared base, 3 V-shaped 'arms' extending from the narrow midsection, and a minimalist visage protruding from the front. The brown-hued figure dons a large headdress with trios of ovoid nodules bearing linear motifs on each side as well as a pair of openwork, crescent-shaped horns on top. Simplified forms of ikenga figures are depicted as horns attached to a wooden block, with the horns symbolizing the aggression of male animals. This is a more realized figure with three-dimensional details carved on all sides that was perhaps meant to be placed atop a personal altar. Size: 3.2" W x 6.8" H (8.1 cm x 17.3 cm)
Provenance: ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired prior to 1970
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#130640
Condition
Repair to proper right section of headdress, with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Losses to corner of one arm and small area of base as shown. Light encrustations across most surfaces, with softening to some finer raised details, and a few stable fissures. Nice preservation to overall form.