Statue of a Chamba ancestor - Nigeria
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 350 - € 400
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Description from the seller
Origin: Nigeria
Tribe name: Chamba
Material: Wood
Dimension: 60 cm
Shipping mode: Colissimo in 24-48h
This Chamba statue presents itself as a masculine anthropomorphic figure sculpted in wood, of a very elongated form and strongly stylized. The sculpture is built according to simple geometry: a voluminous head, a narrow torso, an elongated abdomen and two straight legs separated.
The head, particularly expressive, is topped by a headdress or conical cap with a central crest. The face is treated in a schematic manner: circular eyes, a projected nose, a mouth indicated by a horizontal incision, and lateral ears that project. An element tied around the neck, which seems to be a strip of fabric or fiber, constitutes a distinct addition to the sculpture proper.
The body is frontal and almost symmetrical. The shoulders are angular, while the arms, drawn forward, frame a prominent belly. The male sex is indicated. The legs, long and relatively short compared to the trunk, terminate without a detailed representation of the feet.
The wood shows an irregular dark brown patina, with lighter areas due to wear, erosion or material loss. The numerous marks, cracks and abrasions visible likely attest to the object's antiquity and/or its use.
Stylistically, this work can be linked to Chamba statuary from Nigeria and Cameroon, in which the human figure is frequently simplified and accentuated by geometric volumes. However, a photograph alone does not allow certain attribution of origin, ritual function, dating or authenticity of this piece. For a catalog entry, it would therefore be prudent to distinguish what is directly observable from what pertains to attribution.
Origin: Nigeria
Tribe name: Chamba
Material: Wood
Dimension: 60 cm
Shipping mode: Colissimo in 24-48h
This Chamba statue presents itself as a masculine anthropomorphic figure sculpted in wood, of a very elongated form and strongly stylized. The sculpture is built according to simple geometry: a voluminous head, a narrow torso, an elongated abdomen and two straight legs separated.
The head, particularly expressive, is topped by a headdress or conical cap with a central crest. The face is treated in a schematic manner: circular eyes, a projected nose, a mouth indicated by a horizontal incision, and lateral ears that project. An element tied around the neck, which seems to be a strip of fabric or fiber, constitutes a distinct addition to the sculpture proper.
The body is frontal and almost symmetrical. The shoulders are angular, while the arms, drawn forward, frame a prominent belly. The male sex is indicated. The legs, long and relatively short compared to the trunk, terminate without a detailed representation of the feet.
The wood shows an irregular dark brown patina, with lighter areas due to wear, erosion or material loss. The numerous marks, cracks and abrasions visible likely attest to the object's antiquity and/or its use.
Stylistically, this work can be linked to Chamba statuary from Nigeria and Cameroon, in which the human figure is frequently simplified and accentuated by geometric volumes. However, a photograph alone does not allow certain attribution of origin, ritual function, dating or authenticity of this piece. For a catalog entry, it would therefore be prudent to distinguish what is directly observable from what pertains to attribution.
Details
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
Nigeria
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Statue of a Chamba ancestor
Height
60 cm
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
