IDNO

P.171769.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.170797.GIJ, PB 14/11/2024]

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

Primary Documentation

Other Information

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

Publication: Image published in Jones, G.I., 1984. The Art of Eastern Nigeria, (Cambridge: CUP), fig. 23. p. 89, and captioned "Girls dancing: Mbari house. Umowa village. Oratta Ibo." [PB 15/03/2024]

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).