IDNO

P.171037.GIJ

Description

Five standing carved clay female figures in front of painted wall in an Mbari house, with a variety of geometric decorations and a painting of a figure with long flowing hair holding a snake. The figures are full length. The carvings have coils around their hips, and beads around their waist. Three have hair arranged in several pointed bunches, one with hair in rings tight to the head. Two of the figures are holding mirrors in their hands and are facing each other. [Description from record P.754187.GIJ, PB 24/05/2024]

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Southeast Nigeria; Imo State; Oratta; Umowa

Cultural Affliation

Igbo [historically Ibo]; Oratta Ibo

Named Person

Photographer

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

Collector / Expedition

Date

1936

Collection Name

Jones Collection

Source

Format

Print Black & White Mounted

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.170921.GIJ - P.171076.GIJ were located together in a brown box, now numbered C766/.

P.171004.GIJ - P.171063.GIJ were located in a 'Duplex' paper folder now numbered C766/4/.

Context: G.I. Jones explains Mbari sculptures on pp 82-92 and Mbari house architecture on p 104 in Jones G.I. The Art of Eastern Nigeria

Bibliographical Reference: G.I. Jones explains Mbari sculptures on pp 82-92 and Mbari house architecture on p. 104 in Jones, G.I., 1984. The Art of Eastern Nigeria. (Cambridge: CUP). [PB 09/05/2024]

Context: Detailed notes by G.I. Jones on this house, each figure and the house plan are in the paper folder C766/1. The numbers 1 - 33 on print reverse and mounts relate to these notes and the plan indicates the positions of the figures. [PB 09/05/2024] . Cambridge: CUP.

Image used in The Art of Eastern Nigeria, fig 23. 'Girls dancing: Mbari house. Umowa village. Oratta Ibo' p 89. Cambridge: CUP. 1984