Divination Instrument

Item

Accession Number: 2020.13
Title: Divination Instrument
Ethnic Group: Songye
Subject: Figure|Divination|Central Africa
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date: 20th century
Medium: Wood|Palm Oil|Kaolin|While and Blue Beads
Format: H x W x D: 11.5 x 4 x 3.5 in. (29.21 x 10.16 x 8.89 cm)
Description: 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.