Ancestor figure – Wood – Chamba – Nigeria

Authentic wooden ancestor figure from the Chamba people of Nigeria. It`s a protective `tau-wandoa` figure.
The Chamba people live in southeastern Nigeria, to the south of the Benue river, on either side of the Cameroon border. Their typical, mostly small sculptures made of hard wood (male: ‘tau-wandoa’, female: ‘tau-kendoa’) are carved in a form similar to a staff and highly abstract. With slightly bent arms close to the body, legs and usually a ‘hat’ on their large head. Planted with iron tips in the ground of the fields, these figures are supposed to secure a rich harvest and protect people against snake bites (according to Leo Frobenius). The present, male ‘tau wandoa’ figure of the Chamba displays a extraordinarily old, black shiny patina, characteristic forms, and is in excellent condition. The figure has a bronze necklace / slave manilla around the neck

Provenance: Justin Barthels (1934-2021), gallery owner Maastricht (NL).