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Iphri shrine

19th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 343
Personal shrines, known as iphri in Ijo, are widespread in southern Nigeria. Such sculptures, dedicated to an individual's power, skill, and aggressiveness, are placed in screenlike fashion, accompanied by freestanding figures, on private altars. Fierce animal imagery is often emphasized, as in the sharp fangs and powerful open jaws of the beast shown here, which fuses elephant and leopard traits. Such attributes relate to the pursuit of warfare and commerce by Ijo men. The human figure seated above the animal represents the shrine's owner holding a cup for pouring libations and a fan, a symbol of his wealth and status.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Iphri shrine
  • Artist: Ijo artist
  • Date: 19th century
  • Geography: Nigeria, Niger Delta region
  • Culture: Ijo peoples
  • Medium: Wood, pigment
  • Dimensions: H. 25 7/16 x W. 9 3/4 x D. 10 1/8 in. (64.6 x 24.8 x 25.7 cm)
  • Classification: Wood-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Purchase, Matthew T. Mellon Foundation Gift, 1960
  • Object Number: 1978.412.404
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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