Shrine Figure (Ntkekpe)

Description

Among the Igbo, pottery and ceramic sculpture is the domain of women. Terracotta figures can accompany shrines in a wide variety of contexts, including at compound entrances, outside of houses, in domestic gardens, and in small shrine houses. This figure and another one of a seated woman are undoubtedly the work of a single artist [see 2003.84]. The man is seated on a cylindrical stool. He wears a necklace with three large beads and holds a dagger in his hand.

Provenance

Unknown owner, Nigeria, by 2002; sold to Douglas Dawson Gallery, Chicago, Ill., 2002; sold to the Art Institute, 2003.

Shrine Figure (Ntkekpe)

Igbo

Mid–20th century

Accession Number

180968

Medium

Terracotta and iron

Dimensions

72.4 × 30.5 × 52.1 cm (28 1/2 × 12 × 20 1/2 in.)

Classification

earthenware

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Samuel P. Avery Endowment and Edward E. Ayer Endowment in memory of Charles L. Hutchinson