IDNO

P.171074.GIJ

Description

A close up of the head and upper torso of a clay sculpture in an unfinished Mbari house. The figure represents the tutelary female deity Ala. She has an elaborate headdress, with hair indicated by geometric lines. White painted pins are attached, and the hair coils are accentuated by white painted circles to the sides and on top of her head. She is wearing a necklet with bead, and holds a white staff in her right hand. [Description from record P.762024.GIJ, PB 04/06/2024]

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Southeast Nigeria; Owerri West; Ngor; 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.