Mbari statue head - Mbari - Igbo - Nigeria

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Dimitri André
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Selected by Dimitri André

Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.

Estimate  € 1,400 - € 1,600
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Tête de statue Mbari, a terracotta sculpture from Nigeria's Igbo Mbari house tradition, depicting Mami Wata; height 27 cm, dating to the mid-20th century, authentic original, in good condition, sold with stand, provenance Mbari house in Igboland.

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Description from the seller

Mbari statue head, Ibgo/Ibo culture, Igboland region, Nigeria.
Raw clay and paint. H.27cm

Superb head of a terracotta statue. It represents Mami Wata, goddess of water, wealth, and fertility. The face is beautiful and luminous. It exudes a gentle yet powerful force. Beautiful three-part headdress. It bears ethnic scarifications at the corner of the mouth. It is an inhabited work. The body is missing. It comes from an Mbari house; these houses are places of worship dedicated to the Igbo gods. The statues there are made of raw clay and then painted. It is a rare work of which very few pieces are seen for sale. Sold as seen, see photos. A beautiful piece of antique, authentic collection. Circa 1960.

A catalog "MBARI - Art Ibo du Nigeria", 2010, limited edition 100 copies, will be supplied.
This work is reproduced there, Ref. No. 1.
A double-boxed shipment will be arranged.

Mbari statue head, Ibgo/Ibo culture, Igboland region, Nigeria.
Raw clay and paint. H.27cm

Superb head of a terracotta statue. It represents Mami Wata, goddess of water, wealth, and fertility. The face is beautiful and luminous. It exudes a gentle yet powerful force. Beautiful three-part headdress. It bears ethnic scarifications at the corner of the mouth. It is an inhabited work. The body is missing. It comes from an Mbari house; these houses are places of worship dedicated to the Igbo gods. The statues there are made of raw clay and then painted. It is a rare work of which very few pieces are seen for sale. Sold as seen, see photos. A beautiful piece of antique, authentic collection. Circa 1960.

A catalog "MBARI - Art Ibo du Nigeria", 2010, limited edition 100 copies, will be supplied.
This work is reproduced there, Ref. No. 1.
A double-boxed shipment will be arranged.

Details

Indigenous object name
Mbari
Ethnic group/ culture
Igbo
Country of Origin
Nigeria
Period
Mid 20th century
Material
Raw clay
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Fair condition
Title of artwork
Mbari statue head
Height
27 cm
Authenticity
Original/official
FranceVerified
914
Objects sold
100%
Private

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