Protective Figure
Wurkun · Nigeria
Reference: EMS-129
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- Height
- 25 cm
- Material
- Wood and pigments
This statuette has no arms, not even outlined, however it has legs, which is equally rare. The trunk is practically smooth, like a slightly flung cylinder,…
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Full original description
This statuette has no arms, not even outlined, however it has legs, which is equally rare. The trunk is practically smooth, like a slightly flung cylinder, with a large navel, prominent, circular in shape, which appears to have been intended for reliquary or to contain a mirror. Normally, the body is cylindrical and the arms are rarely taken off the trunk. A piece of mirror in the belly is common in quite a few ethnic groups, often to contain the relic that it holds inside, because the mirror steals the soul from the one who looks at it, seeing one reflected in it, thinks that they have stolen his soul. The head looks like a crushed cone, forming an edge on the front and back, with several cuts on the front to form the mouth and nose. The back, a little flat.
These statuettes are used by the Wurku for apotropaic purposes. Brown patina.
Further technical information
- Width
- 5 cm
- Attributed period
- Mid-century XX
Details transcribed from the original catalogue; they are not a recent physical inspection.
Country on the map
Nigeria. The country associated with the catalog is shown, not the current location of the piece.
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Attributions, dates and accounts come from the preserved catalogue. They do not constitute certification of authenticity or provenance. An object’s presence on this website does not mean it is available for sale.
