** A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this artwork will be donated to the Anthony Quinn Foundation, whose mission is to advocate for the important role arts education plays in personal development and in the overall improvement of social, economic and cultural systems. Learn more at aqfoundation.org **

West Africa, Nigeria, Cross River, Ekoi (Ejagham) / Bakor, ca. 16th to 18th century CE. A hand-carved stone figure of an abstract form known as an "Ikom Monolith" or an "Akwanshi" which locally translates to "dead people." Carved from beige-gray stone, the elongated figure bears a planar base, an undecorated lower body, and a conical head with deeply incised grooves that form the face and meandering headdress. The face exhibits ovoid eyes, a triangular nose, slender lips, and high cheeks, all beneath a deep neckline. Figures like this one were used as memorials for the deceased and were inserted into the ground with other familial stones. Size: 4.75" L x 2.625" W x 6" H (12.1 cm x 6.7 cm x 15.2 cm)

Provenance: ex-private collection of actor Anthony Quinn and his wife Katherine, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA acquired prior to 2000

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#169147

Minor nicks and abrasions to base, body, and head, with light encrustations, otherwise intact and very good. Nice preservation to incised motifs throughout. Old inventory label as well as old inventory number written in black ink atop white pigment beneath base.