A very rare old and interesting wooden sculpture of a female ancestor from the Afo peoples, Nigeria, West Africa.The entire sculpture is covered in a red mineral pigment, which is quite strong in the back, suggesting the figure was placed on a shrine and the front exposed to the elements, more so then the back of the sculpture. The face is accented in a white kaolin clay and it has been suggested that the female may have been dressed in some textiles at one time, which may have been open in the front, which would also explain the degrading of the pigment in front, more so then the back.Living in the foothills of Nasarawa and Loco Mountains of Nasarawa state, the Afo make black and white masks whose wearers perform on stilts during harvests and festivals. This black and white mask face tradition can bee seen on this sculpture. Their most important sculptures are figures of women, sometimes depicted with their children. These figures are sacred; once a year they are brought out to the village square where sacrifices and prayers are offered, and blessings in the form of abundant crops and healthy children are asked for in return.Measures 19.5 inches tall.

Overall Good, well worn