IDNO

P.171073.GIJ

Description

A seated clay sculpture in an unfinished Mbari house. The figure represents the tutelary female deity Ala. She has an elaborate mud headdress and coiled rod anklets, and carries a white staff in her right hand. A child is sitting on each of her thighs. They are wearing helmets with neckbands. The child on her right thigh is facing the camera and holds a short rod in his left hand. The child on her left is in profile.[Description from record P.762023.GIJ, PB 24/05/2024]

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Southeast Nigeria; Owerri West; Umundoche town

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.171064.GIJ - P.171076.GIJ were located in a brown paper folder now numbered C766/5/.

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.