Ikenga-fetisj beeld - Sculpture - Ikenga - Igbo - Nigeria
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 200 - € 220
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Ikenga fetish figure, a wooden Igbo shrine statue from Nigeria dating circa 1910–1950, unsigned and in reasonable condition, measuring 210 mm high, 50 mm wide and 40 mm deep and weighing 104 g, sold without a stand.
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Description from the seller
An Ikenga ('Right Hand' Altar Figure), a fetish figurine.
Ikenga (which means 'place of power'), are found in Igboland. This region (also known as Ala Igbo) is the cultural and linguistic homeland of the Igbo, one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.
The Igbo believe that the right hand represents the source of power, economic success and physical strength of a man. Ikenga figures are also used to store the chi (personal god), his ndichie (ancestors) and his ike (power) of the owner.
Placed in personal shrines, Ikenga figures are worshipped and honored with offerings before an Igbo man completes a goal.
This specific figure is a beautiful example of a more abstract or cylindrical style. While some Ikenga figures depict very detailed seated warriors with swords, this variant focuses on the essence: a recognizable profile face and the prominent, powerful horns above it.
See: Figure University of Michigan https://umma.umich.edu/objects/figure-2003-2-47/
Smart History https://smarthistory.org/ikenga/
University of Miami https://emuseum.as.miami.edu/objects/1840/shrine-figure-ikenga
This wooden fetish figurine dates to between 1910-1950.
Sold without stand.
Dimensions-Height 210 mm.
Width 50 mm.
Depth 40 mm.
Weight-104 g.
Sent by registered and insured mail with tracking code. Fast shipping.
An Ikenga ('Right Hand' Altar Figure), a fetish figurine.
Ikenga (which means 'place of power'), are found in Igboland. This region (also known as Ala Igbo) is the cultural and linguistic homeland of the Igbo, one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.
The Igbo believe that the right hand represents the source of power, economic success and physical strength of a man. Ikenga figures are also used to store the chi (personal god), his ndichie (ancestors) and his ike (power) of the owner.
Placed in personal shrines, Ikenga figures are worshipped and honored with offerings before an Igbo man completes a goal.
This specific figure is a beautiful example of a more abstract or cylindrical style. While some Ikenga figures depict very detailed seated warriors with swords, this variant focuses on the essence: a recognizable profile face and the prominent, powerful horns above it.
See: Figure University of Michigan https://umma.umich.edu/objects/figure-2003-2-47/
Smart History https://smarthistory.org/ikenga/
University of Miami https://emuseum.as.miami.edu/objects/1840/shrine-figure-ikenga
This wooden fetish figurine dates to between 1910-1950.
Sold without stand.
Dimensions-Height 210 mm.
Width 50 mm.
Depth 40 mm.
Weight-104 g.
Sent by registered and insured mail with tracking code. Fast shipping.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Country of origin
Nigeria
Material
Wood
Ethnic group/culture
Igbo
Title of artwork
Ikenga-fetisj beeld
Signature
Not signed
Indigenous object name
Ikenga
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Fair condition
Height
21 cm
Width
5 cm
Depth
4 cm
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