Divination Instrument
Item
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Accession Number
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2020.13
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Title
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Divination Instrument
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Ethnic Group
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Songye
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Subject
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Figure|Divination|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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20th century
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Medium
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Wood|Palm Oil|Kaolin|While and Blue Beads
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Format
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H x W x D: 11.5 x 4 x 3.5 in. (29.21 x 10.16 x 8.89 cm)
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Description
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Highly-stylized divination instrument composed of a large head and neck mounted on top of two bowed legs with feet resting on a dome-shaped pedestal. The face is of typical form with down-turned closed eyes, a wide nose, a large smiling mouth with carved teeth, and a square chin simulating a beard. The object is coated with a mixture of kaolin and palm oil, which is discolored and worn. Additional decoration includes neck beads and painted-over fiber cord.
