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Female Figurine
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This female figurine may be a fragment of a spoon or spatula, but is not confirmed. Iconography of the human image is common in the art of Kongo-speaking peoples, however, this object’s function or purpose is unknown. The position of the arms has been interpreted as that of a bound prisoner while the positioning of the head represents a broken neck or severed head, thus identifying as a sacrificial victim.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, probably Yombe-style maker |
|---|---|
| Date | late 1800s–early 1900s |
| Culture / Origin | Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo (most likely), Cabinda, or Republic of the Congo, probably Yombe-style maker |
| Medium | Ivory |
| Dimensions | Overall: 12 x 2.5 x 4.5 cm (4 3/4 x 1 x 1 3/4 in.) |
| Department | African Art |
| Type | Sculpture |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
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