Old Statue African IGBU, URHOBO Pipe Smoker sculpture of the mythical Warrior ejo. Figure from Southeastern Nigeria. 9″ x 30″ h. Extremely rare and in good condition. A sculpture of the’mythical warrior Ejo’, who is venerated in his own shrines by the Urhobo. LARGE 24X10 8 POUNDS. The Urhobo live in the western region of the Niger Delta, in the south of Nigeria. They honour the forces of nature in the form of spirits, as well as their own ancestors. The main religious figure in the ancestor cult of the Urhobo is the wood spirit and’mythical warrior’, called’Ejo’. He is represented in the form of a figure, and ritually venerated in his own shrine and given offerings. The Urhobo figure presented here represents this’mythical warrior’,’Ejo’. The figure is carved from hard wood, and is coloured reddish-brown and dark brown. Ejo’ wears a round cap with a central knob on his head. The typical Urhobo head has a wide, bulging forehead and a concave face, with outlined eyes, short nose, and an aggressively protruding, open mouth with a wide row of teeth. On his forehead the Urhobo figure has 6 vertical scarification marks and a horizontal scarification mark on each temple. On the back of the head there are always two protruding’plaits’. The upright, broad-shouldered figure, who sits rigidly on a stool, wears an amulet on a necklace in front of his chest. In his right, bent hand’Ejo’ holds a sword, in his left hand a sceptre. Navel and penis are accentuated. The entire body of the’mythical warrior Ejo’ is covered with a reddish-brown layer, while his decorative necklaces, and the large bracelets and anklets (normally by the Urhobo these are of ivory) are accentuated in blackish-brown. The entire figure, inspiring awe and respect, and its stool, sits on a tall socle which was probably once round. The entire sculpture is carved from a single piece of very hard, heavy wood. Thus the’mythical warrior Ejo’ stood in his shrine and was venerated by the Urhobo, and received ritual offerings. The present figure is very old. It displays a partially shiny patina in keeping with its age, and traces of earlier offerings. Some age-related damage: colour scuffing, some pieces broken off at the right side of the abdomen and on the plinth, cracks in the sword, in the cap above, as well as on the head and back. Never the less, this’Ejo figure’ of the Urhobo is a very impressive, imposing ritual object. H: 50 cm (total). First third of the 20th century. Antiques, Vintage or pre- columbian times It is. Believed to be an authentic piece. But ownership history is unknown. Most of my items are from high end Estate sales. This piece was acquired from a Collectic Artisan type of person that owned a huge collection of pre-columbian, Native American pottery books etc. I’ve been collecting items for many years but I have decided to sell them all. When it comes to antiques, especially unique pieces that I can’t find an exact match, data, or registered history text, I will them compare to a similar item and name my item based on that comparison, therefore the description may be wrong or not be accurate. If I list a piece and you think the description is wrong, you may want to send me a message and I will do more research based on suggestions. The absence of a condition does not imply the item is in perfect condition or completely free of defects. Is my best intention that the item arrives to you as seen in pictures. In an effort to help the planet most of the time I do recycle packaging paper, boxes etc.