Chamba

A figurine associated with ancestor worship, it also serves as a guardian figure for the home. The Chamba people live in eastern Nigeria, south of the Benue River, on both sides of the border with Cameroon. This hardwood sculpture of a woman displays typical Chamba stylistic features: a high hairstyle with a narrow topknot, suggestive small eyes, as seen in the two ears on the sides. She has a small nose and a protruding, rectangular, open mouth. Very characteristic of Chamba figures, who always stand with their legs apart, are the forward- leaning shoulders and freely carved, slightly bent arms with accentuated, large hands. Little is known about the significance of these relatively large Chamba figures. They likely represent important ancestors who could be consulted during various ceremonies and offerings. Chamba figures of this scale are very rare. History / Provenance: Collection - Rudolf Steinmann Collection - Ryszard and Joanna Stolarski - purchased in 2023.