A finely executed, relatively small female figure of the Ibo, from south-eastern Nigeria. The figure sits on a flat, round plinth and everything is carved from one piece of very hard wood. The head, in its structure and decoration, is reminiscent of the well-known ‘agbogho mmwo’ masks of the Ibo – the spirit of a beautiful girl, who comes from the afterlife (see cat. no. 80). The entire face is white (by means of kaolin) and bears black coloured scarification marks, as are also found on the ‘mmwo’ masks. Additionally the figure has a central, tall, openwork crest and the ‘hairstyle’ consists of concentric circles in relief (as on the ‘mmwo’ masks of the Ibo). Nose and upper lip are dyed red. The body is evenly black-brown and wears a wide neck ruff, which extends over both shoulders. Above chest and back runs a decorative chain, crossed at the back. It has ornamented (or tattooed?) arms and wears bracelets as well as anklets. The woman sits on a typical Ibo stool and holds a tobacco pipe with a long stem in both hands.
A charming, rare object with very careful execution. Only small, age-related breaks, holes, slight cracks and minimally chipped edges, but with a good, partially shiny, old patina. No significant damage.
Height: 37 cm; width: c. 14 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Polish private collection.