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Ancestor figure – Wood – Chamba – Nigeria

 180,00

In stock

SKU: 55.140 Categories: , Tags: , ,
Description

Old wooden ancestor figure from the Chamba people of Nigeria. It`s a protective `tau-wandoa` figure.
The Chamba people live in southeastern Nigeria, to the south of the Benue river, on either side of the Cameroon border. Their typical, mostly small sculptures made of hard wood (male: ‘tau-wandoa’, female: ‘tau-kendoa’) are carved in a form similar to a staff and highly abstract. With slightly bent arms close to the body, legs and usually a ‘hat’ on their large head. Planted with iron tips in the ground of the fields, these figures are supposed to secure a rich harvest and protect people against snake bites (according to Leo Frobenius). The present, male ‘tau wandoa’ figure of the Chamba displays a extraordinarily light patina, characteristic forms, and is in excellent condition.
Custom made stand is included in this lot! Large and stylistic piece in rustic style, total length: 86 cm!

Provenance: former private collection from the Netherlands.

OBJECT

Ancestor figure

ETHNIC GROUP/ CULTURE

Chamba

REGION/ COUNTRY

Nigeria

MATERIAL

Wood

PERIOD

Mid 20th century

CONDITION

Good

SOLD WITH STAND

Yes

DIMENSIONS

86×12×12 cm

WEIGHT

3000 g
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