OBJECT O/T WEEK Door, Nupe, Nigeria. Collection Afrika Museum, Berg en Dal. Wood. H. 176 cm. In 1830, the Nupe kingdom in western Nigeria was conquered by the Islamic Fulani. This historic event also had an impact on Nupe art, in which wood carving (i.e. the production of chairs, planks with verses from the Koran, pillars for inside the house, and doors) plays an important role. Nupe doors consist of between two and five long wooden panels. This particular specimen has three such panels, which are held together at the back by two crossbeams. The panels are decorated with geometric patterns (influenced by Islamic art), zoomorphic figures (such as ostriches, lizards, tortoises and snakes), and also implements (especially weapons and tools). This specimen served as the door in the entrance hall (katamba) of a compound, which is a reception room facing the street. The door was probably made by Sakiwa, a sculptor from Lapai (in the Abuja emirate). (From: Forms of Wonderment, volume 1, Grootaers and Eisenburger, p. 276)