KONGO, Democratic Republic of Congo. Seated Female Figure...

Description

KONGO, Democratic Republic of Congo
Seated Female Figure

Wood, pigment

Numerous seated and standing carvings of individuals wearing hats or holding regalia were made by the Vili and Yombe people quite early on and were among the early artifacts brought back from the Kongo region. The use of these figures is unclear; they are generally not empowered with fetish material and may have had an ancestral function such as being imagery for household shrines. This example depicts a titled woman who sits with her head turned; a gesture that may refer to turning away from something out of anger, disdain or respect.

Height: 22 ½ inches


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