IDNO

P.61290.GIJ

Description

The interior of an Ikwerre dwelling depicting a close up view of the ancestral shrine found in the corner of the room. The shrine consists of three graduated pieces of metal embedded on the raised adobe platform. (It appears that the metal is scraped with the pebble in the foreground leaving burnished areas on the metal and filings on the platform in front.) Behind them there are other pieces of metal or possibly rope / twine?, a ceremonial staff made of wood and adorned with feathers. To the right side, there is a ceremonial metal container and to the left is a glass bottle, possibly used for pouring libations to the ancestors. The adobe walls of the dwelling are decorated and stylised and are adorned with two decorated glazed? plates. [

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; southern Ibo

Cultural Affliation

Igbo [historically Ibo]; Ikwerre

Named Person

Photographer

Jones, Gwilliam Iwan (known as G.I.)

Collector / Expedition

Date

circa 1930 - 1939

Collection Name

Jones Collection

Source

Jones, Gwilliam Iwan (known as G.I.)

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.61280.GIJ to P.61354.GIJ were kept in box 1, now numbered C295/.

Publication: : Similar image published in Jones (1986)With the following caption: “Interior ancestral shrines are regularly found in Igbo domestic dwellings. They are a recognised place where or through which the worshipper could communicate with the object of his worship. If it was in a house it was indicated by a raised platform or altar. It was usually defined sacred by being surrounded by palm leaf and other forms of offerings and decorations.” (Jones,1986, p. 51)

Bibliographical Reference: Jones 1986. The Art of Eastern Nigeria [

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Alicia Fentiman 2/10/2007]