Carved from a single piece of heavy dense wood and embellished with a kaolin clay natural pigment. This is a powerful and dramatic shrine idol from the Urhobo or The Isoko who reside in the southeast of a region also inhabited by the Urhobo peoples and consequently, their visual art bears a resemblance to that of the Urhobo. The vast majority of this art has been created to serve an spiritual function and is typically kept upon altars, imbued with libations, blessed, and used in ancestor worship. This idol measures 30 inches tall and is quite heavy! Provenance: Ex Gerald Dannenberg, New York, Also Ex Private New Jersey collection.

well weathered and worn, what remains is very strong.