Double-sided puppet - Eket - Nigeria

Articulated statuette, Eket culture, Nigeria. H. 66cm

Intriguing articulated Eket statuette from Nigeria. He's a Janus character. Two heads on a simple body. The legs and arms are articulated. The sculpture is simple and powerful. The faces are hard, the mouths are pursed and the gazes are piercing. The sharp stylistic treatment of the eyes and mouths accentuate this hardness. It is a successful work, the sculptor was able to convey an emotion in us. Visible slots, see photos. An atypical, old and authentic collector's item, circa 1950.