Nigeria: Figure of a male ‘divine being’ (‘Alusi’) in the ‘angular’ style of the southern Ibo (Owerri region). The Ibo (or Igbo), in the southeast of Nigeria, have a rich pantheon with numerous gods. According to the Ibos, they lead a very ‘human’ life in their own world: with families, children, and even with animals. These numerous families of gods are represented by the Ibo carvers in sculptures that are placed in shrines and worshipped by believers. The present figure depicting one such 'divine being', also known as 'Alusi', clearly belongs, on the grounds of its stylistic features, to the southern settlement area of the Ibo (Owerri region): carved in hard, heavy wood and impressively painted black and red. The elongated head features a block-shaped crest with a thickening at the top. On the high forehead the typical tribal scarification marks of the Ibo are clearly visible. These are called ‘Ichi scars’. The small ears stick out at the sides, the face has a very serious, introspective expression. This is typical of the artistic style of the southern Ibo. Also characteristic are the thick neck and the very short, angularly bent arms and hands (the sculptures of of the northern Ibo are rounder and ‘softer’). With broad legs, penetrating and serious, this sacred ‘Alusi figure’ was once in a shrine: a 'classic' example of the art of the southern Ibo! With good, old patina and minor age damage (some minor, old pieces broken off as well as some tears). First half of the 20th century; H: 85 cm. (ME)

Provenance: Viennese private collection.