Dimitri André

African Art Auction (Expert selection)

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

Superb terracotta statue head. 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 a spirit-infused 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 examples are available for sale. Sold as is, see photos. A beautiful piece for an antique/old‑collection, authentic.
Circa 1960.

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

Tête de statue Mbari, culture Ibo, region d'Igboland, Nigeria.
Terre crue et peinture. H.27cm

Superbe tête de statue en terre cuite. Elle représente Mami Wata déesse de l'eau, de la fortune et de la fertilité. Le visage est beau et lumineux. Elle dégage une force douce et puissante. Belle coiffe en trois parties. Elle porte des scarifications ethniques au coin de sa bouche. C'est une oeuvre habité. Le corps est manquant. Elle provient d'une maison Mbari, ces maisons sont des lieux de cultes destinées aux dieux Ibo. Les statues y sont réalisées en terre crue puis peintes. C'est une oeuvre rare dont on voit très peu d'exemplaires à la vente. Vendu en l'état, voir photos. Une belle pièce de collection ancienne et authentique. Circa 1960.

Un catalogue "MBARI - Art Ibo du Nigeria", 2010, tirage limité 100ex, sera fournit. 
Cette oeuvre y est reproduite, Réf. N°1.
Un colis doublé sera réalisé.



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Mbari statue head - Mbari - Igbo - Nigeria

Mid 20th century - Raw Earth - Fair condition

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Mbari head statue, a terracotta Igbo Mbari head from Nigeria, 27 cm high, dating to the mid-20th century, original/officiel authenticity, sold with stand, in good condition, from Mbari houses, depicting Mami Wata; body missing.

Mbari statue head - Mbari - Igbo - Nigeria

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Mbari head statue, a terracotta Igbo Mbari head from Nigeria, 27 cm high, dating to the mid-20th century, original/officiel authenticity, sold with stand, in good condition, from Mbari houses, depicting Mami Wata; body missing.

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