In the Shadow of the Bush (1912) - Page 8

A portrait illustration of an individual in ceremonial attire, shown from the chest up. The individual likely belongs to the Ekoi people of the Cross River region, whose culture is the primary subject of Talbot's study. The person has dark skin and looks directly at the viewer. Their face is decorated with bold, circular painted patterns in red, black, and white around the eyes and on the cheeks.

The individual wears an elaborate ceremonial headdress consisting of a row of large, white, fluffy pom-poms. A golden metallic ornament with ornate scrollwork is centered above the forehead. Three feathers, including two long dark ones and one shorter white one, are tucked into the back of the headdress and point upwards.

The person wears multiple strands of red beaded necklaces. Over their shoulders and chest is a detailed red fiber or cloth ornament. This piece features rounded segments and ends in pinkish tassels at the shoulders and at the center of the chest. The person is otherwise bare-chested. The style of the illustration is a detailed color lithograph common in early twentieth-century ethnographic studies.