Central Africa, Cameroon, Mambila peoples, ca. mid-20th century CE. A fine, hand-carved wooden statue of an ancestor guardian figure known as a tadep shown standing atop slightly bent legs with arms folded at elbows for both hands to rest on the chest. Enveloped in a rich, espresso-hued patina, the fascinating figure gazes forward from annular eyes that are both deep-set yet bulging just below a prominent brow. The stylized visage presents a wide nose, gently parted lips held in a smile, and a pointed chin, all flanked by a pair of incised ears. Broad, square shoulders support the huge head, while the navel projects forward, creating a bulbous belly. Size: 2.6" W x 6.2" H (6.6 cm x 15.7 cm); 6.9" H (17.5 cm) on included custom stand.

The Mambila peoples create highly stylized tadep figures for the main purpose of honoring their deceased ancestors, though they also serve a protective function as well. Tadep are carved from light-weight wood so they can be used for a variety of functions such as protecting a personal dwelling from evil spirits, facilitating fertility based on their overall phallic form, or to represent a benevolent spirit of healing. They are also hung above doorways into shelters meant to store other ceremonial and spiritual objects.

According to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, "Tadep are the most common type of figure sculptures in Mambila art... Tadep are often placed in shrines outside the village - at the threshold between civilization and the wilderness. These figurines characteristically show either the left hand or both hands raised to the chin in a thoughtful gesture linked to Suaga, the Mambila society of healers who also deal with justice, protection from evil forces, and ritual cleansing."

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection, purchased from dealers, beginning in the late 1980s to as recently as 2017

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#162927

Expected nicks, chips, and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with rich patina.