Standing figure
Life Story
The position of the arms and the hole in the crown of the head for ‘medicine’, or a small horn containing ‘medicine’, make a Songye attribution for this gnome-like little figure very possible, despite the absence of comparative material. The ring-and -dot marks forming the eyes and decorating the abdomen seem to indicate that East African Arab influence had by then reached that part of central Africa: a date after about 1850 seems likely.
The neuter figure may have been suspended by a thong or cord passing in front of the neck and under each arm.
Margret Carey, 1997
Entry taken from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection, Vol. 2: Pacific, African and Native North American Art, edited by Steven Hooper (Yale University Press, 1997) p. 206.
Provenance
Purchased by Robert and Lisa Sainsbury from K. J. Hewett in 1968.
Donated to the Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia in 1973 as part of the original gift.
Not on display
Title/Description: Standing figure
Born: 1850 - 1899
Object Type: Figure
Materials: Elephant ivory
Measurements: h. 71 x w. 20 x d. 25 mm
Accession Number: 265
Historic Period: 19th Century - Late
Production Place: Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Cultural Group: Songye
Credit Line: Donated by Robert and Lisa Sainsbury, 1973
