Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card: 'EDO | OKPE / 1755 C Figure of animal.'
Added in different hand: '1755 D Figurine from shrine (oxurgili)'
Added in red pen: 'PTO'
Added in different hand in pencil: '(Boxed separately)'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Auction / Sale)
Purchased using money from Prof. A.A. Bevan’s subscription to the Museum’s Accessions Fund.
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Labels & Markings)
Thomas label adhered to the feet reads: '846A | 1755D / Figurine from shrine, (oxurgili).' / Okpe.'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Northcote Thomas ‘figure from shrine’ ‘oxargili’. Wooden female figure with an unusual posture. The back is arched and the figure appears to be pregnant as the mammary glands are enlarged. Hands, limbs and buttocks are well defined. Crescent type hairstyle, a semicircular vertical raised line runs across the centre of the head. Legs are carved and end in crude blocks for feet. Legs close together. The eyes are well defined as are the nose, mouth and jaw. The ears are incised as upturned V shapes. The back is divided in the middle, which gives a naturalistic appearance. The object is worn in many places, especially in the face. Very light weight. Information provided by Dr Ohioma Pogoson, Honorary Curator of the Museum of the Institute for African Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. November 2012.


Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Related Documents)
Photograph of Z 13078.2, Z 13077.1 and Z 13077.2 (1755 A and B) on reverse of catalogue card for Z 13078.

Event Date 16/9/2000
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Related Documents)
See E 1910.118 and E 1913.3 records for further details about the Thomas Collection from Nigeria. [T.Cotterill]
Event Date 7/5/2001
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
The female figure is covered with a black substance ?mud. Insect debris present.
Event Date 6/6/2001
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Field collection)
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.


Event Date 10/12/2012
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Wooden carving of a standing female figure. The figure has arms by the sides, breasts, swollen belly and female genitalia. The facial features are well defined and there is a crest of hair running from front to back. The feet are block shaped. The whole is carved from a lightweight wood and covered in black pigment. Insect debris present.
Event Date 21/9/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

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

Event Date 21/9/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Labels & Markings)
The number '1755 D' is written in pencil on the figure's left side.
Event Date 26/11/2021
Author: rachel hand

Conservation (Freezing)
CON.2021.5230 | Freezing
Event Date 9/12/2021
Author: Ayesha Fuentes