Ikenga Igbo - Statue - Igbo - Nigeria

Statue IKENGA IGBO (IBO) /
Nigeria in polychrome wood with dark patina, brown patina, black, red and white pigments.
Height: 94 cm. Width 30 cm. Weight 4 Kg.

RARE IKENGA Igbo, representing a male figure with arms folded, holding an oliphant and a dignitary's staff. The pierced coiffure is made up of a complex interlacing blending fauna (snakes, felines, monkeys, buffalos) and bust figures.

Ikenga statues are used during male cults, placed on personal or family altars, to bring success in the material, social and political realms. The use of ikenga is essentially present among the Ibo.

Some flaws (see photo): left calf and cracks, the headdress restored locally, quite fragile for postal shipment, hence a preference for hand delivery in Paris 11th arrondissement.