Statue Eket - Nigeria






Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
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Description from the seller
Origin. Nigeria
Tribe name. Ibibio
Material. Wood
Dimensions. 85 cm
Shipping method. Colissimo within 24–48 hours
This magnificent carved wooden statue displays the stylistic and iconographic characteristics typical of Eket art (or of the Cross River region in Nigeria). Here is a detailed description of the work from its various perspectives:
1. Overall Composition and Structure
Tall, slender form: The sculpture is carved from a single block of wood, weathered over time, with nuanced brown tones and textured areas of wear.
The support (base): The statue rests on a solid wooden cylindrical base, serving as a tenon or anchoring support.
Tiered structure: The composition is notable for its layering of anthropomorphic motifs. A main female figure carries a flared bowl on her head, topped in turn by a long ringed neck supporting a second sculpted head at the top.
2. The Main Figure (Body and Posture)
Hieratic posture: The central figure is standing, with knees slightly bent, giving the statue a dynamic yet solemn stance.
Arms and hands: The arms are raised on either side of the head to firmly support a flat bowl (ritual vessel or offering) resting on her skull.
Body ornaments: The wrists are adorned with multiple raised carved rings, reminiscent of traditional bracelets.
Torso and abdomen: The breasts are prominent and conical. The belly is especially rounded, highlighted by an incised geometric motif in the shape of a star or four-part diamond at the navel.
Back: The back features a strongly raised spinal column, emphasizing the sculpture's stylized anatomical power.
3. Visual Elements and Faces
The main face:
It has refined, expressive features.
The eyes are represented by almond shapes framed by prominent eyelids.
The nose is straight and broad, while the mouth is slightly open.
The rounded cheeks and forehead enhance the sculptural force of the facial mask.
The uppermost element (second head):
Set atop a long cylindrical neck adorned with rings or loops, this second head extends the work's verticality.
It echoes similar stylistic conventions (refined features, a headdress or conical crown), reinforcing the piece's symbolic, spiritual, or ancestral dimension.
This piece attests to the virtuosity of Nigerian tribal art sculptors, combining balanced forms, the symbolism of geometric shapes, and profound ritual intensity.
Origin. Nigeria
Tribe name. Ibibio
Material. Wood
Dimensions. 85 cm
Shipping method. Colissimo within 24–48 hours
This magnificent carved wooden statue displays the stylistic and iconographic characteristics typical of Eket art (or of the Cross River region in Nigeria). Here is a detailed description of the work from its various perspectives:
1. Overall Composition and Structure
Tall, slender form: The sculpture is carved from a single block of wood, weathered over time, with nuanced brown tones and textured areas of wear.
The support (base): The statue rests on a solid wooden cylindrical base, serving as a tenon or anchoring support.
Tiered structure: The composition is notable for its layering of anthropomorphic motifs. A main female figure carries a flared bowl on her head, topped in turn by a long ringed neck supporting a second sculpted head at the top.
2. The Main Figure (Body and Posture)
Hieratic posture: The central figure is standing, with knees slightly bent, giving the statue a dynamic yet solemn stance.
Arms and hands: The arms are raised on either side of the head to firmly support a flat bowl (ritual vessel or offering) resting on her skull.
Body ornaments: The wrists are adorned with multiple raised carved rings, reminiscent of traditional bracelets.
Torso and abdomen: The breasts are prominent and conical. The belly is especially rounded, highlighted by an incised geometric motif in the shape of a star or four-part diamond at the navel.
Back: The back features a strongly raised spinal column, emphasizing the sculpture's stylized anatomical power.
3. Visual Elements and Faces
The main face:
It has refined, expressive features.
The eyes are represented by almond shapes framed by prominent eyelids.
The nose is straight and broad, while the mouth is slightly open.
The rounded cheeks and forehead enhance the sculptural force of the facial mask.
The uppermost element (second head):
Set atop a long cylindrical neck adorned with rings or loops, this second head extends the work's verticality.
It echoes similar stylistic conventions (refined features, a headdress or conical crown), reinforcing the piece's symbolic, spiritual, or ancestral dimension.
This piece attests to the virtuosity of Nigerian tribal art sculptors, combining balanced forms, the symbolism of geometric shapes, and profound ritual intensity.
