A Montol sculpture, Nigeria, standing on short legs in a zigzag manner, the columnar torso with large tapering navel, framed by fin-like arms, slightly curved inwards, narrow shoulders, a thick cylindrical neck supports an oval shaped head, with two inward curved horn, the facial features are simple, a straight mouth, small nose, two hollow eyes, large rounded ears; heavy hard wood with cracks through out, insect damage on the feet, no significant repairs, certificate of origin and provenance.

“The area lying to the north of the Niger and Benue Rivers includes a range of mountains covered by a savannah. Archaeological excavations have revealed traces of human activity on the Jos plateau and in the Benue River valley dating from the Stone Age – 39,000 years ago.

Over time, the indigenous Benue-Kongo and Adamawa-speaking people of this area were infiltrated by Chad-speaking tribes who migrated from the east and north. This created a mosaic of people with different social and religious traditions. nevertheless, common artistic conventions can be found among the majority of the people who live in this area. For example, shoulder masks are worn by the Mumuye, the Jukun and Waja people and red seeds are often applied on the surface of headdresses and masks.

Tribes such as the Mumuye, the Chamba, the Jukun, the Wurkun, the Goemai and the Montol live along the Benue River in eastern Nigeria, while the Waja, the Mama, the Hausa, the Koro and the Kakakari people settled in the northern part of the country.

The Goemai and Montol people live on the right bank of the Benue River and are known for their small figures with splayed legs and hands. Members of the Komtin male secret society employ these ancestor representations in divination and curative ceremonies.”

Source: Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.

sold

Height: 78 cm
Weight: 2,8 kg