Figure, D73.771

Figure likely to have been made for 'tourist' market., i.e. commercial purposes, but roughly meant to reflect style and form of a traditionally purposed wooden figure. Kneeling wooden human figure (one of a pair, each quite similar in appearance) - possibly male. Heavily varnished with exception of underside of base. Wood appears to be naturally a dark red brown colour. Figure is kneeling, facing forward with each hand placed on breast of same side. Back of figure is on single plane while front is roughly contoured to that of a human form. Hair is roughly pulled back into two hornlike braids, one to each side of head with a raised smooth section running from forehead over back of head - possibly representing underbid/braided hair. Eyes are represented by horizontal slits in slightly raised round mounds. Mouth is represented as two raised horizontal lips with narrow slit between. Base is generally round platform with vertical parallel lines running the full perimeter. Ears are large raised angular protuberances to either side of head. General appearance is of rather roughly carved wooden figure, little if ever used, and in good condition.

? Sarah Brodie notes say figure is from "Gold Coast" (Ghana). Likely this is where person who collected the figure, lived. However, carved wooden figure appears likely to have come from possibly central part of Democratic Republic of Congo, e.g Luba(?), Makonde(?) people.

Notes in "Africa Collection File" of Sarah Brodie, give Provenance as "Gold Coast" [Ghana] and the "Source" as "Pres. Mrs.P.Nye. HOWEVER, style of figures suggest that are from the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire, formerly Belgian Congo). Likely figures are from a group more or less central part of country.

Varnished dark reddish brown wood (mahogany?).

Figure likely to have been made for 'tourist' market., i.e. commercial purposes, but roughly meant to reflect style and form of a traditionally purposed wooden figure. Kneeling wooden human figure (one of a pair, each quite similar in appearance) - possibly male. Heavily varnished with exception of underside of base. Wood appears to be naturally a dark red brown colour. Figure is kneeling, facing forward with each hand placed on breast of same side. Back of figure is on single plane while front is roughly contoured to that of a human form. Hair is roughly pulled back into two hornlike braids, one to each side of head with a raised smooth section running from forehead over back of head - possibly representing underbid/braided hair. Eyes are represented by horizontal slits in slightly raised round mounds. Mouth is represented as two raised horizontal lips with narrow slit between. Base is generally round platform with vertical parallel lines running the full perimeter. Ears are large raised angular protuberances to either side of head. General appearance is of rather roughly carved wooden figure, little if ever used, and in good condition.
Height (from top of head to underside of base) = approx. 167 mm. Diameter of base from side to side = approx. 58.5mm. and from front to back = approx. 40.4 mm. —Joel A Vanderburg

Locality: Gold Coast

Possible locality: Congo