Artwork Page for Pair of Figures

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Pair of Figures

late 1800s–early 1900s

Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, probably Ngbandi-style carver

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Medium
Wood, iron alloy, copper alloy, glass beads, plant fiber, and cloth
Measurements
Part 1: 45 x 15.5 x 9.2 cm (17 11/16 x 6 1/8 x 3 5/8 in.); Part 2: 41 x 13 x 11.5 cm (16 1/8 x 5 1/8 x 4 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 2010.459
Public Domain
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Location
108A African
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Did You Know?

Few examples of Ngbandi sculpture exist, and even fewer retain their adornments.

Description

These paired wooden figures are adorned with metal, bead, and shell ornaments at the ears, waists, and ankles. An ornament on the male's upper arm may identify him as a warrior. Each figure has a series of vertically aligned bumps on the forehead. These represent highly raised keloid scars that were culturally meaningful forms of body modification. Carving of paired figures is quite well documented among the Ngbandi and their neighbors, the Ngbaka-Minagende, where such sculptures are said to represent the mythical ancestor Seto and his sister-wife, Nabo. Field-based research cannot confirm the existence of figurative couples among the Ngbandi.
A dark-brown wood sculpture depicts two figures standing on blocky feet with coiled metal anklets. Their heads feature a central vertical groove and light pigment. On the left, a man with broad shoulders and a prominent phallus wears a metal earring and a coiled armband. The woman has breasts, blue bead earrings, and a white bead belt. Their straight arms and rigid posture emphasize the solid, vertical nature of the carving.

Pair of Figures

late 1800s–early 1900s

Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, probably Ngbandi-style carver

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