Conservation

The orange-spotted white coating has partially flaked away, revealing the colorful painted surface beneath.

Brown drips can be seen on the top of the head.

A few tiny feathers are stuck in the brown coating on the head.

This infrared spectrum reveals the presence of a clay, such as white kaolin, and a protein, such as egg yolk.

Mami Wata Figure

Ibibio, Annang

early to mid 201th century

Wood, paint, accumulated materials

1994.3.9

The accumulated materials on the surface of this painted wooden figure are evidence of its use. Tiny samples of these coatings were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to characterize the materials.