An ancient and very interesting anjenu statuette in the form of a mother with articulated limbs. Anjenu statuettes, generally depicting a seated woman, evoke the spirits of water and the Benoue river, and are linked to the cult of female fertility and the protection of children. Her protective and healing spirits, who live underwater, manifest themselves in dreams and possessions. Its cult is widespread from northern Nigeria among the Haussa to central Nigeria among the Igbo-Idoma or Igala, and south to Yoruba country. Note the elegant posture and position of the child's legs, the iron coiled around his neck, and the child's facial expression. For other Anjenu statues, see Cole and Aniakor, Igbo Arts Community and Cosmos, LA 1984 or Lebas, Arts du Nigéria dans les collections françaises, Milan 2012. Igbo-Idoma, Nigeria Wood, pigments, iron, braided cords, small accidents (old breaks), beautiful old patina. Height: 46.5cm Provenance: Robert Duperrier, Paris Robert Duperrier, Paris Private collection, Paris, acquired in 1994