IDNO

P.171739.GIJ

Description

A tableau of seated clay sculptures in an alcove of an Mbari house, representing the contributor to the building of the Mbari, his wife and child. He wears a sun helmet, short-sleeved shirt, bow tie, shorts, long socks and shoes, and holds a cup in his right hand. She has an elaborate coiffure, uli marks on her neck and body, and has her child sitting on her left thigh. She holds a white staff?, or possibly a pestle?, in her right hand. The walls of the alcove are painted with geometric patterns. [Description from record P.170766.GIJ, PB 14/11/2024]

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Southeast Nigeria; Owerri North; Imo; Ulakwo 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

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.171730.GIJ - P.171808.GIJ were located together in an 'University of Camridge' envelope, now numbered C841/.

Bibliographical Reference: G.I. Jones describes 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).

Bibliographical Reference: H.M. Cole describes Mbari houses and sculptures in Cole H.M., 1982. Mbari: Art and Life among the Owerri Igbo, (Bloomington: Indiana University Press).