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Figure Screen (Duein Fubara)

A work made of wood, pigment, and fiber.

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  • A work made of wood, pigment, and fiber.

Date:

Early 20th century

Artist:

Kalabari Ijo
Nigeria
Coastal West Africa

About this artwork

Figure screens were made by the Kalabari to honor, memorialize, and communicate with deceased leaders of their trading or canoe houses. One would have formed part of an altar in a side room of a meetinghouse. Originating in the 19th century, when European commerce flourished in the Niger Delta, these screens may have been inspired by early portrait photographs. Here, the central figure representing the house leader wears a British top hat.

Status

On View, Gallery 137

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Kalabari

Title

Figure Screen (Duein Fubara)

Place

Nigeria (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Made 1900–1940

Medium

Wood, pigment, and fiber

Dimensions

101.6 × 69.9 × 20.3 cm (40 × 27 1/2 × 8 in.)

Credit Line

Joanne M. and Clarence E. Spanjer Fund; purchased with funds provided by of Cynthia and Terry E. Perucca, Marshall Field V, and Lynn and Allen Turner funds; Mr. and Mrs. David B. Ross Endowment; Alsdorf Foundation

Reference Number

2005.154

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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