The gesture of both hands to chin in Mambila sculpture is characteristic of tadep figures connected
with a healing association called Suaga.
The ritual paraphernalia
were kept in granary-like storehouses which would have had ledges
where the Tadep figures were placed. The Tadep figures protected and
proclaimed the sacred powers of the objects in the storehouses.
The characteristic
Mambila hairstyle consists of inserted wooden pegs. Mambila
sculpture expresses the intensity and spring-like contained energy
about to be released throughout the rhythmically bent arms
and legs.Likely post WWII.
Ex Leonard Kahan Gallery, New York and Ex. Christopherand Genevieve McConnell collection.
Height: 17 ¼”
Width: 6 ¼”
Depth: 5 ¾”
