Large statuette. 72 cm. - Edjo. - Urhobo - Nigeria

This Urhobo statuette - Niger Delta - embodies a wife of the forest spirits named Edjo. The forest spirits govern the daily life of society. These statuettes were housed in dedicated village shrines and presided over important meetings. Urhobo style is distinguished by an oversized head. Here, the statuette in a hieratic pose wears a bilobed hairstyle ending in three braids at the back. The eyes are rendered with pieces of mirror set into brass plaques. The very wide mouth shows the dentition. The neck is sturdy. The statuette bears brass ornaments at the upper left arm and on both wrists. Dry patina from use. Sold with the base. Height 72 cm × Width 16 cm × Depth 13 cm Weight 3.4 kg