Early 20th C. Nigerian Urhobo Wood Figural Headdress.

Description:

Africa, southern Nigeria, near Niger Delta, Urhobo peoples, ca early 20th century CE. A hand- carved wooden female, sitting upon a stool with her hands held together before her; her nude body presenting conical breasts, a protruding navel, long arms befitting her long torso, and contrasting short legs with a few rendered toes. She looks out with a mesmerizing visage comprised of almond-shaped eyes, a defined browline, twin rectangular bas relief motifs adorning her forehead, a narrow protruding nose, an open mouth presenting a toothy grimace, a square jawline, cup-shaped ears, and ridged vertically-oriented rectangular adornments to either side of her visage. Size: 7.625" L x 6.75" W x 29.5" H (19.4 cm x 17.1 cm x 74.9 cm); 36.125" H (91.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Condition:

Condition as pictured; Commensurate with age. Age cracks to the plinth beneath the figure's feet, integral conical form beneath the plinth, the figure's head, rectangular plinth that the animal stands upon, animal's torso, and the figure's back. Four partial perforations behind figure's shoulders and arms, perhaps for attachments. Inactive insect losses to the animal upon the figure's head. Nice patina to the surfaces. Expected surface wear to figure and basket-like frame below commensurate with age. Some fraying to fabric wrapped around a section of the framework.

Provenance:

Private New York, New York, USA collection; ex Heinz Kolerski collection, Germany

All antiquities were purchased at Artemis Gallery with COA.

See image of Certificate of Authenticity.

Size: 6 3/4 x  6 3/4 x 35 in.
#9 #6288

Condition as pictured; Commensurate with age. Age cracks to the plinth beneath the figure's feet, integral conical form beneath the plinth, the figure's head, rectangular plinth that the animal stands upon, animal's torso, and the figure's back. Four partial perforations behind figure's shoulders and arms, perhaps for attachments. Inactive insect losses to the animal upon the figure's head. Nice patina to the surfaces. Expected surface wear to figure and basket-like frame below commensurate with age. Some fraying to fabric wrapped around a section of the framework.