African Arts Gallery

Ex-collection French African Art This reliquary box in the shape of a character represents Owedjebo, ancestor founder, accompanied by his wife and their child.

It is part of the tutelary statues of Eherhe clan Agbon. The statues are two-tone black / white to symbolize the power of the ancestral figure. On the head, the character as well as the small lateral figures wear a headdress in the shape of a hat, symbol of their high rank. There is a thick layer of kaolin on the body and face. The lines, and in particular the mouth, strongly contrast by the addition of dark pigment. A small front door opens onto a tooth-shaped cavity in which traces of relics can be seen.

This statue with a heavily damaged base and top represents a back-to-back couple, sharing common lower limbs. Glorifying ancestors, a cavity has been set up in the bust of the male figure to house a magical charge or relics. Remains of yellow, black and red ochre are still visible on the matte surface.
The Urhobos , living near the northwest of the Niger Delta River, form the main ethnic group of the Delta State among the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They speak Urhobo, a language of the Niger-Congo group. Together with the Isoko whose art is close, they are collectively known as Sobo . Their large sculptures depicting the spirits of nature, edjo, or the founding ancestors of the clan, to whom sacrifices were offered, were grouped in shrines within the villages. ...

The Urhobos, living near the northwest of the Niger Delta River, form the main ethnic group of the Delta State among the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They speak Urhobo, a language of the Niger-Congo group. Together with the Isoko, whose art is close, they are collectively known as Sobo. Their large sculptures depicting the spirits of nature, edjo, or the founding ancestors of the clan, to whom sacrifices were offered, were grouped in shrines within the villages. They also produce figures similar to the ikenga of igbo called iphri , ivwri , of half-animal form half-human. They personify male aggression and are intended for warriors and notables. However, after consultation with the soothsayer, young children can also wear miniature iphri in the form of geometric amulets, ...

Former African art collection Mercier br-Les Urhobos, living near the northwest of the Niger Delta River, form the main ethnic group of the Delta State among the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They speak Urhobo, a language of the Niger-Congo group. Together with the Isoko, whose art is close, they are collectively known as Sobo. Their large sculptures depicting the spirits of nature, edjo, or the founding ancestors of the clan, to whom sacrifices were offered, were grouped in shrines within the villages. They also produce figures similar to the ikenga of igbo called iphri , ivwri , of half-animal form half-human. They personify male aggression and are intended for warriors and notables. However, after consultation with the soothsayer, young children can also wear miniature ...

Anthropomorphic composition, this African art object urhobo is formed of a character whose lower limbs are metamorphosed into a spiritual entity living in water, in the form of a mythical creature with gaping mouth.

vertical parallel scarification on the forehead, and a vertical indigo-tinted band.The mouths aggressively reveal teeth cut in point.The headdress of the character would be inspired by the crowns of dignitaries of the old kingdoms. were usually kept on altars, and on rare occasions they were carried in crests during dances or ceremonies. The Urhobos, living near the northwestern Niger Delta River, form the main ethnic group of the Delta State among the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They speak Urhobo, a language of the Niger-Congo group. With Isoko ...