A fine and rare Tiv female figure, Nigeria

ihambe, of large proportions, the torso with herniated navel, hair attached at the pudendum and arms bowed to the sides, the conical helmet-shaped head with parted lips and large dental scarification framing the cowrie-shell eyes; old label: 'Tiv/Middle Benue River/19cent-Nigeria-ANLF'; blackened patina.

John J. Klejman, New York
Acquired from the above on June 10, 1973

C. W. Post Gallery, Greenvale, New York, The Shape of Surprise,  February 17 - March 30, 1980

Susan M. Vogel, African Sculpture: The Shape of Surprise, New York, 1980, pp. 27 and 45, cat. 96

Good condition overall. Areas of fill for stabilization, possibly indigenous, at the buttocks and back of the right forearm. Minor old loss to the left ear. Minor areas of surface abrasion from old insect damage and age and use within the culture.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

According to Neyt (1985: 161-162), the "Tiv played a predominant role in the history of the Benue State, and in that of Nigeria itself. [...] When they arrived at the end of the XVIIth and early XVIIIth century, they deeply affected the life and relationship among the peoples living on both sides of the Benue." Before their arrival, the Benue River was an important means of communication between the Jukun and the proto-Idoma, for example. By the height of the Tiv invasions, between 1685 and 1745, they effectively created a buffer-state between north and south, and migrations from the northeast became impossible.

Among the Tiv, works such as the Rosenthal female figure, called ihambe, were incorporated into daily life as tutelary guardian figures for certain familial clans. According to Bohannnan (1961: 87) the Tiv "are interested in the art, not the artist." While the Tiv acknowledge degrees of quality, above all, Tiv works of art are linked to underlying magical meanings and functions. Two ihambe styles are predominant: the "post-style" (cylindrical with minimal detail) and the "realistic-style" to which the Rosenthal ihambe belongs. The figures function dually as part of the complex magical/religious and marital rites of the Tiv. Serving as symbols of marriage, they are inextricably linked to the Akombo - magical or power figures and emblems, which are central to Tiv religious practices and used to circumvent illness and misfortune, as well as to promote fecundity and vitality. Marital exchanges were practiced by the Tiv, in which two sisters marry two brothers. "From this double-exchange the daughter-in-law becomes the full sister at the mother's death" (ibid.: 185). The ihambe figure remains with the same family group through the mother and is then inherited by the daughter-in-law. At the outset, the figures are placed by the head of the family in front of the house of the wife he has acquired through a sister exchange, so that the wife will have good health and happiness (ibid.: 186).

The Rosenthal ihambe shows two distinct types of scarification: abaji and kusa. As noted by Neyt (ibid.: 197), Bohannan, from 1949 to 1953, studied and later published his research on Tiv scarification. Abaji is the rounded and raised keloids on her temples. Kusa is more common and appears at her mouth in the form of the so-called "cat moustache" (ishaw) and on her abdomen. The concentric circle around her navel framed by horizontal lines represents the fish. Markers of age rites and geographical origin, abdominal scarifications were given to Tiv women at puberty.

For two related figures cf. Neyt (loc. cit.: 178, fig. IV.17 and 184, fig. IV.23), the first with shelf-like ridge at the shoulders and similar treatment of the concave facial plane, the second in the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology.