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Galerie Peter Herrmann |
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Ancient Art from Africa |
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| Thermoluminescence - Expertise |
Container shaped like a snail shell with hyena |
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Iboku, Nigeria
Bronze
around 1700
32 x 22 cm
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| Edited in the net since February 2026 |
The snail plays a role in mythology and religion throughout southern Nigeria. The animal depicted on the snail's house could be a hyena, which plays a role among the Ibo in the east and the Hausa in the north. This animal stands on a large box that serves no purpose other than as a pedestal, while the snail shell is open and was formerly used as a vessel. |
| The sculpture must have stood unused somewhere for a very long time, as several large areas of corrosion have developed on the underside. Otherwise, it is in good condition. As with other Iboku sculptures, elongated rectangles and round rosettes appear as decorative patterns, divided by bands of beads. |
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