Figure: Mother and Child

Unknown

19th–20th century · Wood · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

This maternity figure once served as an instrument in the diagnosis and treatment of illness by the Kwompten healing society. Its formal balancing of shelflike hips, squared shoulders, and arms bent away from a columnar torso reflects the carver’s awareness of devotional sculptures created by neighboring Jukun and Mumuye artists. The softer naturalism and fine surface incisions of the mother’s face suggest the influence of Lower Benue and Yoruba sculptural traditions from farther south.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th–20th century

Medium

Wood

Culture

Ankwe peoples

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Purchase, Nelson A. Rockefeller Gift, 1971