Figure Mambila, Cameroon

Figure Mambila, Cameroon, first half of the twentieth century.
In carved wood.
Provenance: European Private Collection
Measurements: 32 cm. high.

Wood carving representing a full-bodied and highly expressive ancestor of the Mambila ethnic group, settled between Nigeria and Cameroon, is recognizable by its distinctive heart-shaped face, with oval eyes often highlighted in white, which give the figure an expression of alertness. It has a dynamic and robust posture, characterized by short, strongly bent legs and large, massive feet. His arms are short and bent, with open hands facing forward, symbolizing protection or ritual preparation. Aesthetic contrast is achieved through the use of white pigment or clay applied at key points (eyes, hands and feet), which not only accentuates the features, but also indicates the application of ritual substances necessary to activate the figure in ancestral cults or to ensure fertility and health.