Figure

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Culture Ibibio

Culture Oron (Subgroup of the Ibibio)

Title Figure (Ekpu)

Date 18th–19th century

Medium Wood

Dimensions Object: 26 1/2 × 4 1/2 × 4 1/4 in. (67.3 × 11.4 × 10.8 cm)
Overall (includes mount): 28 × 4 3/4 × 4 3/8 in. (71.1 × 12.1 × 11.1 cm)

Credit Line Acquired from the Estate of Thomas T. Solley, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University

Accession Number 2008.239

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About this Work

A representation of an Oron ancestor, up until the early 20th century, such figures were an essential step in promoting a deceased member of community to the status of ancestor. It was also through these figures that an ancestor was called upon in order to help their descendants.

The high status of the figure is represented with the depiction of the headdress and stylized beard. These figures were kept in a shrine which was taken care of by the oldest member of a family and where as many as fourteen generations could be honored at one time.

Provenance
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Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

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Cite this Page
"Figure | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=2008.239