Fetish Figure
Item
Accession Number
2019.9
Title
Fetish Figure
Ethnic Group
Songye
Subject
Figure|Ritual|Central Africa
Country
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date
20th century
Medium
Wood|Wooden Bead|Raffia Rope|Snakeskin
Format
H x W x D: 12.5 x 2.5 x 3.25 in. (31.75 x 6.35 x 8.255 cm)
Description
A fetish figure with upswept coiffure showing a hole for fetish materials, diamond-shaped eyes, and a large open mouth showing teeth, as well as a long-pointed jaw. The body shows arms and hands held against a distended abdomen with a prominent umbilicus, a reptile in skirt held on with a cord, which also contains a small wood cylinder, and short legs with very large feet standing on a mound-like base. The figure is stained and patinated.
