Nigerian Brass Fetish Figure

A human form reduced to iron rods and brass rings. It stands with complete conviction.

This fetish figure comes from the Cross River region of Nigeria, 20th century, in iron and brass. Forged iron carried weight in many West African societies, and figures like this are generally thought to have served protective or spiritual ends, though specifics are poorly documented. Thin rods form the limbs and spine, joined with bound twine at the shoulders and hips. Stacks of brass rings circle the wrists, waist and ankles. A black base keeps it upright. Nearly twenty-nine inches high.

Hardly any material, and a great deal of presence.