A PAINTED WOOD 'IKENGA'Nigeria, Igbo60 cm highProvenance: Vittorio Bellini (1936-2009) collection.The term 'ikenga', literally "place of force", identifies one of the greatest deities of the Igbo, evoked in sculptures like this, owned by the community's elders who can be women only in special cases. Ikenga is a divinity that represents strength, success and vigor, protector of farmers and blacksmiths, celebrated during the year by specific rituals. The statues that represent it are consecrated by personalities with the offer of food, renewed periodically so that its spiritual strength can be strengthened.