Fetish Figure

Fon, Benin or Dahomey
Benin or Nigeria
Early 20th c

Provenance: Old New York collection

This personal fetish object has been imbued with great power; consisting of a post style figure covered in cloth and draped with attachments made of glass beads and shell. It has a wonderful complex surface patina from copious amounts of sacrifices. A ritual specialist prescribes the contents of these libations for specific problems; and examples such as this are kept within personal shrines. The face on this example is very well carved and expressive.