Standing Figure
Montol, Central Nigeria
19th-early 20th century
Provenance: L’accrosonge Gallery, Paris. Private New York collection acquired from above in the 1980’s
Montol figurative carving is associated with the Komtin Society and used in curing rites. This figure, with its forward pushing shoulders and arms over the torso, is primal: it’s very expressive face is made of simple apertures, small ones representing the eyes and nose and its mouth is carved in a large oval shape. The face is surrounded with bands of vertical and horizontal lines, which represent ritual scarification.
Standing Figure
Montol, Central Nigeria
19th-early 20th century
Provenance: L’accrosonge Gallery, Paris. Private New York collection acquired from above in the 1980’s
Montol figurative carving is associated with the Komtin Society and used in curing rites. This figure, with its forward pushing shoulders and arms over the torso, is primal: it’s very expressive face is made of simple apertures, small ones representing the eyes and nose and its mouth is carved in a large oval shape. The face is surrounded with bands of vertical and horizontal lines, which represent ritual scarification.