A iron sculpture - Mumuye - Nigeria (No reserve price)

Mumuye Iron Sculpture - Jalingo Region, Nigeria, incl stand. The slender figure, carved from dark iron, depicts a male body in an unusually dynamic pose. A long, slender torso rises above narrow, slightly bent legs, its contours defined by widely sweeping arms at varying angles. The small, rounded head sits atop a strikingly long, forward-tilting neck. Sunken eyes and an open mouth lend the face an almost questioning expression. The irregular, light gray to rust-brown oxidized surface reveals the craftsmanship of the metal. Despite its extreme elongation, the figure maintains a remarkable physical tension. The Mumuye people live in northeastern Nigeria, particularly in the Jalingo region of present-day Taraba State. Their sculptural tradition is known for elongated bodies, rhythmically broken limbs, and an expressive use of interstitial space. In addition to their famous wooden figures, iron sculptures have also survived. Anthropomorphic Mumuye figures could serve various purposes, including protection, healing, divination, and the reinforcement of social authority. Literature (selection): Frank Herreman / Constantijn Petridis: Mumuye: Sculpture from Nigeria. The Human Figure Reinvented. 2016. Marla C. Berns / Richard Fardon / Sidney Littlefield Kasfir (eds.): Central Nigeria Unmasked: Arts of the Benue River Valley. Los Angeles 2011. Some of the information and photos are generated by artificial intelligence and is based on published sources from the fields of ethnography, archaeology, and art history documents. All information and photos are protected by copyright. Inv. No. MAZ30068 Informant Amadou Dogo

Estimate:£232.75

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