Doll, Figurine, D2012.95

Wooden full figure (male?). Carved from single piece of light weight and light colour wood. Head has simple carved hat with general appearance of a fez. Vertical front panel of hat is of light colour (wood) with suggestion that it might have once had a wash or colouring of light orange. The remaining and major portion of hat has been painted/inked black, i.e. sides and top. Facial features include slightly carved brows and eyelids with faint horizontal slits denoting eyes. Eyes, lids, and brows have the same black paint/ink. Nose is carved as are lips and mouth. Lips have a faint hint of light orange colour. Ears are carved with hint of light orange colour on inside and edges. Chin is carved extending back to neck. Base of neck sits on slight shoulders with minimal arm extensions facing forward. Five minimal fingers are carved on top of each arm appendage with heel and upper part of hands painted/inked black and facing forward. Belly is emphasized with a protrusion - umbilical hernia - common in both figures and peoples of West Africa. Lower belly and upper thighs are painted/inked black extending the circumference of the figure, suggesting perhaps a garment, pair of shorts? Buttocks are slightly emphasized. From top of thighs in front and immediately below buttocks the wood is incised growing more deeply the farther down the legs until at about the knees the legs are separated extending down to include separated feet. Toes are minimally carved and painted/inked black in front. Chips of wood are missing on inside front - large toes of each foot. Right heel is missing. Crack in wood has extended across both feet with right foot and left heel appearing to have piece glued in place. Slight shiny patina on major surfaces suggests some though not extensive use. Over all impression is of somewhat minimalist carving of human figure.

Wood with paint/ink/wash(?) Possibly child's play doll? Wooden full figure (male?). Carved from single piece of light weight and light colour wood. Head has simple carved hat with general appearance of a fez. Vertical front panel of hat is of light colour (wood) with suggestion that it might have once had a wash or colouring of light orange. The remaining and major portion of hat has been painted/inked black, i.e. sides and top. Facial features include slightly carved brows and eyelids with faint horizontal slits denoting eyes. Eyes, lids, and brows have the same black paint/ink. Nose is carved as are lips and mouth. Lips have a faint hint of light orange colour. Ears are carved with hint of light orange colour on inside and edges. Chin is carved extending back to neck. Base of neck sits on slight shoulders with minimal arm extensions facing forward. Five minimal fingers are carved on top of each arm appendage with heel and upper part of hands painted/inked black and facing forward. Belly is emphasized with a protrusion - umbilical hernia - common in both figures and peoples of West Africa. Lower belly and upper thighs are painted/inked black extending the circumference of the figure, suggesting perhaps a garment, pair of shorts? Buttocks are slightly emphasized. From top of thighs in front and immediately below buttocks the wood is incised growing more deeply the farther down the legs until at about the knees the legs are separated extending down to include separated feet. Toes are minimally carved and painted/inked black in front. Chips of wood are missing on inside front - large toes of each foot. Right heel is missing. Crack in wood has extended across both feet with right foot and left heel appearing to have piece glued in place. Slight shiny patina on major surfaces suggests some though not extensive use. Over all impression is of somewhat minimalist carving of human figure. Overall length = 308mm. Width of: head (across ears left to right.) = 46.4mm across shoulders = 47.5mm , across buttocks = 48.6mm , across feet at middle of feet = 48mm. Same measurements front to back: brow to back of head = 52.4mm , chest to back = 40.8mm , buttocks = 51.6mm , feet = 45.2mm. —Joel A Vanderburg

Donated

Locality Nigeria