A large female Tiv statuary of fragmentary, eroded form, extremly hard and heavy wood

According to Neyt (1985: 161), the "Tiv played a predominant role in the history of the Benue State, and in that of Nigeria itself [...]. When they arrived at the end of the XVIIth and early XVIIIth century, they deeply affected the life and relationship among the peoples living on both sides of the Benue [River]."

Tiv statuary has an underlying magic meaning. The figures are not representations of ancestors but of tutelary guardians. The largest statues, the lhambe figures, have been categorized into two styles: the "naturalistic style" and the "post style". See Neyt (1985: 178 et seq.) for further discussion.

sold

Height: 129 cm
Weight: 9,7 kg