Accession Number
1982/1.275

Title
Standing Figure

Artist(s)

Object Creation Date
circa 1920

Medium & Support
wood

Dimensions
7 3/4 in x 1 5/8 in x 2 3/16 in (19.68 cm x 4.13 cm x 5.56 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Harold W. Geisel, U.S. Foreign Service

Subject matter
This figure may have been made by the Chamba peoples of the Benue River Valley, located in eastern Nigeria and western Cameroon. It has the common features attributed to Chamba figures: a small round head with minimal detail, arms curved in front of the bod, and knees bent with the legs spread apart. While it is not clear how this figure may have  been used, scholarly research suggests it could have represented heroes, former chiefs, ancestors or other forms of spiritual power. It may also have been used to ward off illness. 

References Cited:
1999. Selected Works from the Collection of the National Museum of African Art, Vol. 1. Washington, DC: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution. 

Physical Description
Standing human figure with arms in front of the body and slightly bent knees. The head is round with minimal detail. There is a large crack through the center front of the figure. 

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
figure

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
ancestors
health
social status