A small Mumuye sculpture, Nigeria, standing on short zigzag legs, tilted in steps, the columnar torso with large tapering navel, framed by fin-like arms, slightly curved inwards, a thick neck supports a helmet-like head, crowned by a sagittal crest, flanked on both sides by a cascading design, the triangular fascial plane with fine, concentrated fascial features; dark surface, hard wood with cracks, but in general in excellent condition, no significant repairs. Certificate of origin and provenance.

“Within Nigeria's Benue River Valley region, such representations have been associated with a range of functions, including reinforcement of the status of male elders and use by healers and diviners in arriving at diagnoses. The flexible nature of tradition is reflected in the fact that a single figure may fulfill several roles.” Source: The MET.

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Height: 47 cm
Weight: 460 g