Description:

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West Africa, Nigeria, Igbo people, ca. early 20th century CE. A tall hand-carved and painted wood male figure associated with the deities known as Alusi (Arusi), of an imposing size free standing on a pair of wedge-shaped feet. The figure is nude with a prominent belly button and genitalia, the hands cupped at the front and a broad panel of scarification across the chest and face and wearing a conical cap/ coiffure with cotton cords wrapped around the ankles. Such Alusi figures are placed in shrines and venerated as family guardians, the open hands indicating a generous nature as well as readiness to receive offerings. The scarification marks are for beautification and indicate adulthood, while the white on the face indicates purity. Size: 13" L x 11" W x 56" H (33 cm x 27.9 cm x 142.2 cm)

A similar example can be viewed on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website, accession number: 2019.477.2.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Miles and Shirley Fiterman collection, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, 1990s

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#175698

  • Condition: Right foot repaired with break line visible and losses to heel of other foot. Abrasions to high pointed areas and losses to painted surface layers as shown. Staining and discoloration to cotton cords on ankles. Some pigment transfer when red surface is handled.

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January 8, 2023 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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