Untitled

Sculpture

-

DePaul Art Museum

Name/Title

Untitled

Entry/Object ID

2001.58

Description

Ceramic sculpture of a figure. The figure is sitting with her hands out, grasping something in one hand. A white painted necklace sits between her breasts. Her neck is painted red. Her legs and feet rest in front of her form. Her feet are painted black with slits on the tops of them.

Artwork Details

Medium

Ceramic, pigment

Context

In the Igbo culture it is very common for families to have shrines with different memorabilia and ceremonial art pieces. This sculpture is a Ntekpe figure is a female figure that was made to tribute women and other times tribute motherhood. The Ntekpe figures is a shrine figure that came about from a revelation through divination that these protective ceramic vessels are needed. Unique to most African sculptural pieces, the Ntekpe figures are created and designed by women. These figures are all made with similar iconography representing the female figure but Ntekpe figures are made with the individual interpretation of the artist. This figure shows a woman seated wearing necklaces, bracelets and anklets. The seated position of the subject suggests that the woman is of status or embodies power.

Acquisition

Accession

2001.50-175

Source or Donor

May Weber

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

Gift of the May Weber Foundation

Made/Created

Artist

Unknown artist

Notes

Creation Date: no date

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Africa

Culture/Tribe

Igbo

Notes

Igbo Nigeria, Africa

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Sculpture

Nomenclature Class

Art

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Getty AAT

Concept

Igbo (Southern Nigerian style, culture), Igbo region, Southern Nigerian styles, West African (general), African (general, continental cultures), personal shrines, visual works (works), divination, occult sciences, disciplines (concept), ceremonial objects, object genres (object classifications), sculpture (visual works)

Hierarchy Name

Styles and Periods (hierarchy name), Visual Works (hierarchy name), Visual and Verbal Communication (hierarchy name), Disciplines (hierarchy name), Object Genres (hierarchy name)

Facet

Styles and Periods Facet, Objects Facet, Activities Facet

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Whole

Width

19.05 cm

Depth

24.448 cm

Length

41.91 cm

Exhibitions

Human Bodies in the Spirit World: African Sculpture from the Weber Collection
The Body and Art: African Sculpture from the Permanent Collection