Nupe Post Bed Support Wood Nigeria African Art Collection

Description

Title
Nupe Post Bed Support Wood Nigeria African Art Collection
Type of Object
Bed Post
Country of Origin
Nigeria
People
Nupe
Materials
Wood
Approximate Age
20th century
Height (in)
44
Width (in)
4.5
Overall Condition
Fair. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
Damage/Repair
Natural wood flaws
Additional Information:
An abstract post or bed support  from the Nupe.This  post may have been used as one of four bed net supports found in most of West African traditional houses. If truly a post this was placed in the ground and were used as ceremonial carvings.
The Nupe, who have lived along the banks of the Niger River since the 15th century, are famed for their terracotta works. Since they are mostly Muslim, their vessels almost always feature lovely incised decoration, without human images, as this is not allowed by the Muslim faith.  Most Nupe pots, which are carried on the head, have rounded bottoms and are, by necessity, symmetrical. Women would use a circular basketry base to help support the pot and they would use combs to make incised motifs like the ones on this pot to make their works elegant and unique. They also use cylindrical kilns, and make large circular pots which are used as medicine pots.The popularity of Nupe art with serious collectors is a testament to their skills and their unique adaptability to social upheaval.
The artworks of the Nupe are highly respected, even though the variety of objects they produce is very small. The limited nature of Nupe art is due to the strict influence of Islam, which has controlled the social and religious life of the Nupe for at least 250 years. Muslim law forbids the use of art objects that possess human figural elements, considering them profane. The Nupe, unable to express themselves in such fashion, instead developed a magnificent ability to decorate utilitarian and marriage-related objects with intricate geometric incising. They craft extraordinary carved posts, calabashes and wooden bowls, fashion stunning terracotta vessels and pipes, and weave exquisite, highly-prized textiles.
Recommended Readings:
Perani, J.M. Nupe Crafts: The dynamics of Change in 19th century and 20th century Weaving and Brassworking, 1977
Stevens, P. Nupe Woodcarving, Nigeria, 1966
From the Collection of Dr. Robert Pearson, Denver, Colorado
Dr. Bob Pearson began collecting African art later in his life. He was an engineer, inveterate climber, and long-time collector of books and paintings. Spurred by the Douglas Society at the Denver Museum of Art, and his friendship with noted collector George Heggarty, he began building an enormous, eclectic collection. His African art library grew to several hundred books. He loved textiles and “material culture”-things which had domestic use, like spoons, cups, stools, and chairs, as well as masks and carvings. His collection included items from more than thirty African countries, and his fine eye gave him pieces ranging from a golddust scale to huge Dogon figural ladders. Africa Direct is honored to have been chosen to sell them.
**136101**
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