Details

Title

Janus Figure

Artist/Maker

Igbo Artist, Nigeria

Date

Nineteenth century

Medium

Painted wood

Dimensions

24 inches

Credit

Fred and Rita Richman Collection

Accession #

2002.290

On View

On View - Stent Family Wing, Skyway, Gallery 402

In Igbo communities of the equatorial forest region of eastern Nigeria, diviner’s eyes are ringed with white on ritual occasions to indicate honesty and clear sightedness. Similarly, this sculpture’s eyes are lined in white, a color associated with the purity of the spirit world.

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