ikenga
- Museum number
- Af1966,01.49
- Description
-
(Register 1966)
Wood cult object with two horn-like projections.
- Production date
- 19thC(late)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 21.30 centimetres
-
Width: 11.10 centimetres
-
Depth: 9.70 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- The register preserves the following notes taken from labels attached to the object: "Ibo of SE Nigeria. A block of wood or a stick, 'Okpensi'. A spirit of a dead man enters the 'Okpensi' in his house after the second burial rites. See Dr Basden's book 'Niger Ibos' under 'Spirits'."
Another label reads: "Idol, used in Devil Worship. Presented by Bishop Crowther."
Since Bishop Crowther died in 1891, this object must be earlier than 1891.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1966
- Acquisition notes
- Af1966,01.49 to 51 are three objects added to the collection of cloths purchased from the Church Missionary Society, and they also come from its historic collection. A note in the Register by John Picton records: "These pieces were originally received as part of the Af1952,07 CMS collection. It was then regarded as a duplicate but it has since been decided that it is needed in the collections. However, there is no room in the Register to include it with the other Af1952,07. pieces.
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Af1966,01.49