A Jukun sculpture, imprinted with tense lines, is characteristic of the villages in the south of Bénoué. The character is upright, feet firmly planted on the ground, no trace of genitalia, which could suggest it is missing. His hands surrounding the belly area would have clutched two object, usually signifying the status of the figure itself: possibly one of a deceased chief, his wife or family member. His wrists are ornamented with two bracelets, possibly representing coper. Below his deltoid are also a set of coper bracelets.

The face is carried by a long cylindric neck, and is framed by rectangular ears developed while the coiffure is made of a bun. He wears a goatee, separated in three braided strands. His eyes, nose and mouth are small and discreet, compared to the square shaped ears (possibly emphasised by a type fo earring).

"This type of sculpture is used during funeral rites, agricultural ceremonies, to implore their protection, but also during the initiation of young boys into adulthood. However, their use gradually disappeared in the middle of the Twentieth century."
Source: Tribal Art.

The sculpture is covered with dark crusty patina, abrasion and desiccation cracks are visible through out the figure.

„The Junkuns are a West and Central African population living mainly in Nigeria in the upper Benue Valley. With the expansion of the former Junkun Empire, the Junkun or Turbo have scattered untie two groups: one settled south of the Donga River, and the other in the north of the region“.
Source: Tribal Art.

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Height: 70 cm
Weight: 3,14 kg