Context (CMS Context)
'See E 1910.118 and E 1913.3 records for further details about the Thomas Collection from Nigeria'. T.Cotterill,7/5/2001.
Event Date 14/9/2000
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Figurine for loom, two back to back
[Added in a different hand] This is in a very rotten state with beetles; half has been eaten away
'The figurine is sticky, presumably from the conservation process, small areas of the bubble wrapping is adhered to the object. K. Sutton 24/5/2001'
Event Date 14/9/2000
Author: maa

Context (Production / use)
Okeeke, an instrument used for holding rollers on the weaving loom. It is usually situated above the head of the weaver and linked with the pedals that alternate the cotton for weaving. There are usually two sets of spun cotton for weaving. The cottons are separated alternately. This is to allow the two sets to alternate moving up and down. Each time they alternate the up and down movement, the shuttle with its cotton is passed through, thus allowing for a kind of mat weaving effect. The mechanism attached to the two sets of strings that allows for the easy to and fro rotation of the cotton sets is the okeeke. In between the prongs of the carved wood there would be a reel/roller to which the extended strings from the pedals are attached. Northcote Thomas label reads: ‘loom figurine’. Wood. Janus head loom figure. The facial features are similar to Z 12886 without the facial markings. The noses and mouths are sharply cut. Rather than in the middle section as seen in other objects of this type, this specimen has a cavity, which has been created by separating the necks, giving each head its own neck. The arms, hands and fingers are indicated. The figures are possibly of a male and female with bellies. However, the object is incredibly badly damaged so the sex of each figure is hard to tell. It has been to conservation where something has been done to stop the insect and other damage, possibly by treating it with some kind of shiny resin and smoking or burning the object, as the wood is very black and this would not have been done locally. The functional part of the object consists of two legs, each leg with two holes in it. One of these holes has been cleverly sealed with a wooden peg suggesting it is no longer functional; the reason for this is unknown. [Information provided by Dr Ohioma Pogoson, Honorary Curator of the Museum of the Institute for African Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. ]
Event Date 1/2013
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (CMS Context)
Collected by Northcote W. Thomas in Edo State, Okpe town. The inhabitants belong to the Edo ethnic group, and also identify themselves further as Okpe people. The language they speak is also referred to as Okpe. See Blench, R. M., 1995. The Work of N.W. Thomas as Government Anthropologist in Nigeria. The Nigerian Field, 60, pp.29.
Purchased using money from Prof. A.A. Bevan’s subscription to the Museum’s Accessions Fund.
Event Date 12/2/2013
Author: Remke van der Velden

Description (Physical description)
Double-sided loom figure. Two human figures from waist arranged back to back with arms folded over the body and hands arranged on chest. Extensive historical pest damage, half of the torso of one figure has been entirely destroyed and treated with a shiny, sticky preservative substance. Two holes in either leg with a peg remaining one of the lower ones. [Katrina Dring]

Event Date 12/07/2018
Author: maa

Description (Labels & Markings)
Luggage tag reads in pencil: '1622 | Loom figurine \ Okpe'
in second hand: 'Cambridge'
in third hand, in pen: 'Z12943'
Thomas label adhered to reverse of luggage tag reads: '842 | Okpe | 1622 / Figurines for Loom, two back to back'

Event Date 12/7/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Labels & Markings)
Cream luggage tag reads: 'Z12943 / Lab No 83.166'
Event Date 12/7/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Amendments / updates)
Record updated as part of the Museum Affordances project 2018-2020

Event Date 12/7/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Okeeke. Carved wooden loom attachment. Two human figures from the waist up, arranged back to back with arms folded over the body and hands placed on chest. The figures sit above a bracket, with two holes drilled into the two arms. Part of a wooden pegs remains in one of the holes. There is extensive historical pest damage; half of the torso of one figure has been entirely destroyed and treated with a shiny, sticky preservative substance.
Event Date 19/10/2021
Author: Eleanor Beestin-Sheriff