Standing figure with Long Torso
Item
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Accession Number
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2023.4.
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Title
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Standing figure with Long Torso
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Ethnic Group
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Ngbaka
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Subject
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Figure|Ritual|Central Africa
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Country
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Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Date
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Early 20th Century
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Medium
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Wood, metal pins, beads
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Format
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H x W x D: 17 in x 4 in x 3 1/2 in (43.18 cm x 10.16 cm x 8.89 cm)
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Description
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Standing figure with a long torso and arms resting on its side. The figure is decorated through carved patterning on the legs and head, along with beads wrapped around the waist and neck. The face is comprised of hollow, round eyes and an oval mouth, with a narrow nose at a higher relief. Metal pins are set around the head, and a small hole is present on the flat plane on the top of the head. This standing female figure may represent Nabo, one of the messengers of the deity Gale. Nabo figurines are placed in family altars as protection from hardship alongside the Seto, male figure. The scarification patterns, beads and decoration on the head are all reflective of the aesthetics of fertility figures.
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Type
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Standing Figure
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Conforms To
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Ngbaka
