IDNO

P.171755.GIJ

Description

A close up portrait of the clay figure of the 'Owner of the House' in an Mbari house. He is Amadioha, spirit of the sky and thunder. He is seated on a chair or throne. He is wearing a striped collarless gown and a sun helmet, and with his outstretched arms he holds an ivory tusk horn in his right hand and an iron staff in his left. His feet are resting on a low wall with a small bowl next to his left. foot. On either side are seated two female attendant figures. The figure to the left of the image has swirling geometric uli patterns on her torso, and holds a water pot on her lap. The figure to the right is holding a pestle in her right hand. In the background is a painted alcove and wall with geometric shapes and other male and female sculptures. [Description from record P.170715.GIJ, PB 14/11/2024]

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Southeast Nigeria; Imo; 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

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).