Female Figure

Item

Accession Number: 2020.9
Title: Female Figure
Ethnic Group: Lega
Subject: Figure|Altar|Central Africa
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date: 20th century
Medium: Hard Wood|Palm Oil|Kaolin
Format: H x W x D: 17 x 4 x 4.5 in. (43.18 x 10.16 x 11.43 cm)
Description: Standing female figure of the Bwami society with a large head, long torso with a vertical line of notches on both sides (front and back), prominent female genitalia, no arms but legs with large box-like feet. The face is heart-shaped with coffee bean-shaped eyes, a naturalistic nose, and a small slit-like mouth. A large hole has been drilled on the neck, below the head. The figure is carved from dense hardwood, is stained a warm honey color, and is highly patinated. The face shows areas of old kaolin.