Hardwood statue - Chamba - Nigeria
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
With almost a decade of experience bridging science, museum curation, and traditional blacksmithing, Julien has developed a unique expertise in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Hardwood statue titled 'Statue en bois dur' from the Chamba people of Nigeria, dating to the late 20th century, measuring 68 cm high by 14 cm wide by 11 cm deep, in good condition.
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Description from the seller
Hardwood statue, Chamba – Nigeria
This hardwood statue, belonging to the Chamba ethnic group of Nigeria, is part of a rich cultural and spiritual heritage specific to West African peoples. The Chamba are known for their expressive sculptures, often tied to ritual practices, protection, and the representation of spiritual forces or ancestors. This statue is distinguished by powerful forms, sometimes deliberately stylized or exaggerated, highlighting a strong visual presence. Facial features, body proportions, and carved details convey a worldview where the artistic object embodies more than a mere representation: it becomes an active support of beliefs and the identity of the ethnic group. The hardwood used reinforces the work’s durability and its timeless dimension.
In a contemporary approach, this Chamba statue fits into a contemporary reading of African art where antiquity dialogues with current artistic sensibilities. The blend of antiquity and the contemporary is manifested through the raw strength of the volumes and the expressiveness of the forms, which resonate with certain contemporary artistic researches focused on matter and the power of sculptural gesture. This contemporary dimension allows rediscovering the object beyond its ritual use, highlighting its aesthetic impact and universal strength. The contemporary aspect thus reveals the continuity between ancestral heritage and current creation, where traditional forms retain a strong intensity and presence in the contemporary gaze.
Hardwood statue, Chamba – Nigeria
This hardwood statue, belonging to the Chamba ethnic group of Nigeria, is part of a rich cultural and spiritual heritage specific to West African peoples. The Chamba are known for their expressive sculptures, often tied to ritual practices, protection, and the representation of spiritual forces or ancestors. This statue is distinguished by powerful forms, sometimes deliberately stylized or exaggerated, highlighting a strong visual presence. Facial features, body proportions, and carved details convey a worldview where the artistic object embodies more than a mere representation: it becomes an active support of beliefs and the identity of the ethnic group. The hardwood used reinforces the work’s durability and its timeless dimension.
In a contemporary approach, this Chamba statue fits into a contemporary reading of African art where antiquity dialogues with current artistic sensibilities. The blend of antiquity and the contemporary is manifested through the raw strength of the volumes and the expressiveness of the forms, which resonate with certain contemporary artistic researches focused on matter and the power of sculptural gesture. This contemporary dimension allows rediscovering the object beyond its ritual use, highlighting its aesthetic impact and universal strength. The contemporary aspect thus reveals the continuity between ancestral heritage and current creation, where traditional forms retain a strong intensity and presence in the contemporary gaze.
Details
Number of objects
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Chamba
Country of Origin
Nigeria
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Hardwood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Hardwood statue
Height
68 cm
Width
14 cm
Depth
11 cm
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