Igbo statue - Lot 100

Igbo statue Nigeria Wood, metal H. 90 cm Provenance : - Galerie Pierre Robin, Paris, 1994 Important Igbo ancestor statue featuring a standing male figure. This work stands out for the high quality of its sculpture, its unusual style and its remarkable patina. Called alusi and representing tutelary divinities, these statues were kept in groups in dedicated sanctuaries. Brought out annually as part of a parade, they were dressed and honored with a feast. A priest was appointed to look after them. The alusi were called upon to solve cases of infertility and other social problems. Their hands turned towards the sky evoke the openness and generosity of these divinities, but also express their willingness to receive offerings. The many layers of pigment on the piece described here bear witness to its long ritual life.