Description (Labels & Markings)
Inscription in pencil on the rear reads: 'Oba Esigie/going to be initiated/into the Oira [?as a general]'.
Event Date
Author: Remke van der Velden

Context (References)
Publications by G.I. Jones: Jones, G. I., 1984. The Art of Eastern Nigeria. Cambridge: University of Cambridge Press.
Jones, G. I., 1989. Ibo Art. Shire Ethnography. Shire Publications.
Event Date 10/6/2014
Author: Remke van der Velden

Context (Acquisition Details)
Gwilyam Iwan 'G.I.' Jones (1904 - 1995) was a colonial officer in southern Nigeria from 1926 to 1946, before becoming Lecturer in Social Anthropology at Cambridge and a Fellow of Jesus College. He undertook further periods of fieldwork and published major books on southern Nigeria that are still highly regarded for their sensitivity to historical complexity.
For more than twenty years, MAA has cared for Jones exceptionally rich photographic archive, which documents the great masquerade traditions and other aspects of the culture of the region. In February 2013 the Museum acquired part of Jones' personal collection of artefacts, assembled over the decades he worked in Igboland, the Cross River and other regions. The group of masks, carvings and other works represent vital aspects of belief, history and art over the middle twentieth century.
The G.I. Jones collection of West African material was purchased on February 1 2014 from his widow Ursula Jones who generously allowed MAA to select from G.I.'s personal collection in her home. Purchase funded partly through donations by Jesus College, John Goodliffe, Margaret Risbeth and the Wenbam Smith Family (as of June 3 2014).
Event Date 10/6/2014
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Wooden oblong wall panel, carved in relief and decorated with an Oba figure and his attendants. Condition:Good.
Event Date 10/6/2014
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Rectangular wooden wall panel, carved in relief. Depicting a central Oba figure with seven of his attendants by his side within a zig zag boarder.
Event Date 6/10/2021
Author: Louise Puckett