Explore the figures in the Northcote W. Thomas collection, using the drop down menu below to browse objects from each town or region.
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Object number: Z 11873 x4
Description: Four wooden human figures. According to Dr. Ohioma Pogoson these ‘dolls’ are not children’s toys. One with shell inlaid eyes and a rectangular disc associated with Ose Sango, the magic wand of Sango the god of thunder in Yoruba land. Thomas describes this section as a headdress.
The second figure sports a string of beads consisting of glass red, blue, black and multi-coloured beads. A second string demarcates the neck area and consists of blue and black beads.
The cheeks of the third figure display two diagonal face markings. A large split in the wood is visible at the back of the figure.
Two raised cylinders extend from the front and the back of the head of the fourth figure, possibly resembling a headdress.
Cultural sub-group: Aviele
Town: Agbede
Measurements: 1: 44 cm long, 8 cm wide; 2: 27 cm long, 3.5 cm wide; 3: 37 long, 7 cm wide; 4: 29 cm long, 4.5 cm wide
Object number: Z 11898
Description: Wooden figure. The head has been incised with cat’s whiskers marks, which are face marks common among the Nupe in the 19th century.
Cultural sub-group: Aviele
Town: Agbede
Measurements: 35 cm long, 6 cm wide
Object number: Z 25218
Description: Itua. Wooden female figure, with well-defined limbs. Holes in headdress possibly for beads.
Cultural sub-group: Aviele
Town: Agbede
Measurements: 36.5 cm long, 7 cm wide
Object number: Z 25219
Description: Itua. Wooden female figure of cylindrical shape with carved face and arms and incised body. Holes in headdress possibly for beads.
Cultural sub-group: Aviele
Town: Agbede
Measurements: 32 cm long, 6 cm wide
Object number: Z 11738
Description: Utomo. Wooden figure brought from Islam county with bead necklace and beaded headdress or coiffure. The face sports incised cat’s whiskers marks, a feature common among the Nupe in the 19th century.
Cultural sub-group: Aviele
Town: Agbede
Measurements: 39 cm long, 7.5 cm wide
Object number: Z 11748
Description: Wooden figure with carved head, incised body and bead necklace.
Cultural sub-group: Aviele
Town: Agbede
Measurements: 33 cm long, 7 cm wide
Object number: Z 11761 A-B
Description: Wooden figures. A: Staff-like shape. The head has been incised with cat’s whiskers marks, which are face marks common among the Nupe in the 19th century.
B: Carving, with cylindrical rounded head also incised with cat’s whiskers marks, which are face marks common among the Nupe in the 19th century. Darker colour than Z 11761 A.
Cultural sub-group: Aviele
Town: Agbede
Measurements: A: 25 cm long, 5 cm wide; B: 26 cm long, 6 cm wide
Object number: Z 11835
Description: Wooden figure with a round flat discon top of the head, potentially a hairstyle. These discs could be a representation of Ose Sango, the magic wand of Sango the god of thunder in Yoruba land.
Cultural sub-group: Aviele
Town: Agbede
Measurements: 37 cm long, 8.5 cm wide
Object number: Z 12818
Description: Large wooden female figure with eyes, breasts, belly button, and pubic area painted blue.
Cultural sub-group: Esan
Town: Irrua
Measurements: 14 cm long, 10.5 cm wide, 82 cm high
Object number: Z 12772
Description: Wooden figure with carved face, incised body and beads around the and waist. A cross-shape extension emerges above the head. The holes in the headdress are for strands of beads some of which remain.
Cultural sub-group: Esan
Town: Irrua
Measurements: 37 cm long, 9 cm wide
Object number: Z 12787
Description: Wooden male figure with incised arms and red bead necklace.
Cultural sub-group: Esan
Town: Irrua
Measurements: 31 cm long, 8 cm wide
Object number: Z 12790
Description: Agagaigboie. Wooden figure with carved face, a bead necklace and anklets.
Cultural sub-group: Esan
Town: Irrua
Measurements: 32.5 cm long, 6 cm wide
Object number: Z 12792
Description: Elaborately incised wooden figure with a visible bellybutton. The headpiece has serrated edges.
Cultural sub-group: Esan
Town: Irrua
Measurements: 28.5 cm long, 8 cm wide
Object number: Z 12933
Description: Olose. Pair of wooden figures, male and female, on a stand.
Cultural sub-group: Okpe
Town: Okpe
Measurements: 24.5 cm long, 16 cm wide
Object number: Z 15086
Description: Wooden figure of woman carrying on her head a tray, bearing four jars. Displaying two anklets and three bracelets on each wrist.
Cultural sub-group: Okpe
Town: Okpe
Measurements: 26 cm long, 14.5 cm wide, 59.5 cm high
Object number: Z 13300
Description: Wooden female figure with carved face and arms and incised body. Coiffure decorated with drilled holes probably for beads.
Cultural sub-group: Ghotuo
Town: Otua/Otwa/Otuo
Measurements: 44 cm long, 10 cm wide
Object number: Z 13271
Description: Esu osu. Wooden female figure.
Cultural sub-group: Ghotuo
Town: Otua/Otwa/Otuo
Measurements: 12 cm long, 11.5 cm wide, 47 cm high
