Idoma Akweya Shrine Figure, Cross River Area, Southeast Nigeria

Idoma Akweya Shrine Figure, Cross River Area, Southeast Nigeria
anjenu
height 20 3/4in (53cm)

Provenance
Yves Develon Collection, Ramatuelle/Paris
Dr. Guy Onghena Collection, Ghent
Calmels Chambre Cohen, Paris, 23 June 1997, Lot 33
Roberta and Lance Entwistle, London and Paris
Marc Franklin Collection, Oregon

Standing powerfully with an engaging expression, the legs spread and slightly bent at the knees, rounded buttock below a V-shaped upper torso with protruding umbilicus, the muscular arms slightly forward and held away from the body with squared shoulders supporting a broad cylindrical neck and spherical head; the wide face with almond-shaped, slightly downcast eyes, naturalistic nose [tip missing] above an open, grimacing mouth revealing two rows of inset teeth; significant erosion throughout the surface and particularly at the base; dark-brown patina with kaolin highlights.