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Figure

Yombe

Artwork Details

Figure
circa 1860
Yombe
wood and resin
6 5/16 in x 2 3/16 in x 2 3/8 in (16 cm x 5.6 cm x 6 cm);6 5/16 in x 2 3/16 in x 2 3/8 in (16 cm x 5.6 cm x 6 cm)
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.185

Description

Subject Matter:

The headdress and pose of the figure suggest that this is a depiction of a chief or person of high status. He is chewing the munkwiza root, a local hallucinogenic creeper whereof it is said that the juice was used to test suspected witches. 

Physical Description:

Kneeling human figure on top of a round, hollowed out base, suggesting that this may have been the top of a staff or flywhisk. The sculpture holds one hand on his thigh, while he is chewing on a munkwiza root with the other. 

Usage Rights:

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