ticketsMember | Make a donation

Ekpu ancestor figure

late 18th–early 19th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 343
Until the 1930s, the creation of such a work was an essential part of the process whereby an esteemed Oron elder was elevated to ancestral status. The figures served as the locus whereby the distinguished individuals portrayed were invoked to play an essential role in assuring the well-being of their offspring. Features depicted that allude to their exalted social standing are prominent headdresses, beards, and stomachs. The eldest member of a clan was the guardian and keeper of a shrine in which as many as fourteen generations of their forebearers were so honored.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Ekpu ancestor figure
  • Artist: Oron artist
  • Date: late 18th–early 19th century
  • Geography: Nigeria, Lower Cross River region
  • Culture: Oron
  • Medium: Wood
  • Dimensions: H. 27 × W. 4 1/4 × D. 4 7/8 in. (68.6 × 10.8 × 12.4 cm)
  • Classification: Wood-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Acquisitions Benefit 2006, and Ross Family Fund and Daniel and Marian Malcolm Gifts, 2007
  • Object Number: 2007.173
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Court official from a commemorative altar, Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n (brass-casting guild) artists, Brass, Edo peoples
Court official from a commemorative altar
Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n (brass-casting guild) artists
16th–17th century
Dance crest, Ejagham artist, Wood, animal hide, cane, iron, pigment, bone or ivory, Ejagham peoples
Dance crest
Ejagham artist
19th–mid-20th century
Òpó (veranda post) with equestrian and female figure, Olowe of Ise Nigerian, Iroko wood, paint, resin
Òpó (veranda post) with equestrian and female figure
Olowe of Ise
before 1938
Lidded Vessel, Yoruba artist, Ivory, wood or coconut-shell inlay, Yoruba peoples, Owo group
Lidded Vessel
Yoruba artist
17th–18th century
Ùhúnmwèlaò (head of an ọ́bà), Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n (brass-casting guild) artists, Brass, Edo
Ùhúnmwèlaò (head of an ọ́bà)
Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n (brass-casting guild) artists
Early 15th–mid-16th century

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.