Chamba Seated Male Figure

Flat, shiny, triangular figure with arms at its sides and a mellow gold glow.

This seated male figure is Chamba, from Nigeria, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is cast bronze. Lost-wax casting begins with a wax model, which is encased in clay and heated until the wax melts away, leaving a hollow that is then filled with molten metal. Wide-based flat form narrows to a simple head with a raised nose and small shoulder bumps. The front is bright yellow where polished, with green flecks in the hollows. Two pointed feet flare out sharply at the base. It is 1.5 inches wide, 0.5 deep and 2.25 high.

Cut from simple geometry and a lot of rubbing.