Female Figure with Medicinal Charge (Musinju)
Arts of Africa
The bundle on top of the head of this figure contains magical ingredients meant to draw a spirit into the image, to assist its owner with tasks such as divination. The glossy surface comes from rubbing with palm oil.
MEDIUM
Wood, metal, resin
DATES
19th century
DIMENSIONS
8 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2 in. (21.6 x 6.4 x 5.1 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
22.817
CREDIT LINE
Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Female figure. Object carried on head. Holes on either side of the head suggest that it was used as a pendant. Covered with heavy coat of sticky oil. Will probably continue to exude oil to some extent even when some is removed by conservators.
Condition: Good
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Kasongo. Female Figure with Medicinal Charge (Musinju), 19th century. Wood, metal, resin, 8 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2 in. (21.6 x 6.4 x 5.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.817. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.817_SL1_edited_version.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 22.817_SL1_edited_version.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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