A rare large carved wooden shrine sculpture painted with black and white kaolin clay pigment and featuring a tall ancestor wearing a conical hat and holding two smaller figures and riding on a abstract angry mouth. This sculpture is known as "Iphri". Such sculptures are associated with human aggression. The gaping mouth is seen as the focal point. The figures are involved in self-defence from outside attack and the focusing of individual hostility on external enemies. Relatively large sculptures such as this one might be expected to be owned by a whole group, who look to them for protection. The statue was carved from a single piece of dense and heavy wood and measures 31 inches tall.

fair, well weathered