Representative of the statuary works created by Chamba artists, a population residing along the Benouè River in Nigeria, this sculpture amazes with the ingenious synthesis and abstraction of the very few elements that distinguish it. Stylized bracket-like arms signal and frame the longilinear body. The head with unfailing hat denotes its masculinity and the face with eyes, ears, nose and mouth only hinted at but perfectly dislocated.
As early as 1913 Leo Frobenius described these sculptures and their use: "Their figures, mostly small hardwood carvings (male: tau-wandoà, female: tau-kendoà) are carved in a highly abstract bracket-like form with their arms slightly bent close to their bodies and usually wearing a "hat" on their large heads. Planted with iron spikes in the soil of the fields, these figures were meant to ensure a rich harvest and protect people against snake bites."

For those who would like to learn more, I point out Elio Revera's article "The Snake Bite" published on Feb. 20, 2017 in Black Hand Arts in which you can view a magnificent overview of Chamba Tauwa sculptures from various collections. https://artidellemaninere.com/2017/02/20/il-morso-del-serpente/ .
With base.