Chamba Bronze Standing Figure, Based

All neck and good humor, with the feet of someone planning to stay.

This standing bronze figure, mounted on a base, is Chamba work from Nigeria in West Africa, 20th century. Figures among the Chamba peoples have generally been associated with healing and protection, kept where a community could call on them, though details vary and scholars differ. The very long ringed neck holds up a small grinning head with bulging eyes and a pointed nose. Fine triangles are incised across the chest. A rounded belly sits under a raised ring at the waist, and traces of red linger on the surface. Sixteen inches high.

He looks pleased about something and has no plans to explain it.