Unhampered female statue made of wood and fabric,... Lot 9

Unhampered female statue made of wood and fabric, presenting a woman with a long body whose leg ends merge into a cylindrical base eroded by desiccation. The dynamism of the arms stuck along the abdomen is rendered by the movement of the elbows brought backwards and the hands placed on the front of the thighs, thus framing the umbilical area decorated with scarifications. The concave face has small tubular eyes and a prognathic mouth with tight lips. The head is topped with a triple-shelled hairdo. These statues are said to reveal akombo (protective fetishes) that promote fertility and soil fertility. Tiv style - Nigeria H : 70,5 cm W: 11.5 cm Bibliography : NEYT François, DESIRANT Andrée, The arts of the Benue to the roots of tradition, Editions Hawaiian Agronomics, 1985, p.178 https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2012/arts-dafrique-et-docanie/lot.9.html