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Power figure

Zombo

Artwork Details

Power figure
circa 1900-1925
Zombo
wood, cotton, fiber, seed pod, and animal skin
14 1/16 in x 3 3/8 in x 5 in (35.8 cm x 8.6 cm x 12.7 cm)
Anonymous Gift
1985/1.186

Description

Subject Matter:

Standing Zombo figures are known to have bags, horns, and nutshells attached to them. A seed pod is affixed to this particular figure. This figure falls into a category of objects which embody a spirit or force—nkisi—that are appealed to for healing and therapeutic purposes; bags, horns, nutshells, seed pods, and the like are receptacles to hold medicine.

Physical Description:

A sculpture of a wooden figure that has been tightly wrapped in layers of cloth and animal skin, concealing the neck, arms and torso of the figure, and secured in place by a plaited fiber.  Animal skin binds the legs which stand apart and are slightly flexed at the knees.  Around the torso, a cracked-open seed pod is held in place by a piece of wood affixed to the front of the body. The oval shaped head features pierced pupils and a simple coiffure.  

Usage Rights:

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