Sapi. Figure of a Man Holding a Crocodile, 15th century or earlier. Stone, 4 x 1 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (10.2 x 3.8 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by the Noah-Sadie K. Wachtel Foundation, Inc., 2000.93.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2000.93.1_SL1_edited.jpg)
Sapi. Figure of a Man Holding a Crocodile, 15th century or earlier. Stone, 4 x 1 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (10.2 x 3.8 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by the Noah-Sadie K. Wachtel Foundation, Inc., 2000.93.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.2000.93.1_print_threequarter_bw.jpg)
Figure of a Man Holding a Crocodile
Arts of Africa
Nothing is known for certain about the original use of stone carvings such as this one, since the area in which they were made suffered severe social and political disruption in the 1500s. The crocodile most likely represents an ancestor, and the figure some form of communication between the living and the ancestor. The forelegs of the crocodile merge with the arms of the man, suggesting a deep link between the two. The carver of this figure probably belonged to a group of Sapi artists who also made objects for export, such as the ivory cup in this case.
CULTURE
Sapi
MEDIUM
Stone
DATES
15th century or earlier
DIMENSIONS
4 x 1 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (10.2 x 3.8 x 5.7 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER
2000.93.1
CREDIT LINE
Purchased with funds given by the Noah-Sadie K. Wachtel Foundation, Inc.
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
The object is carved of stone depicting a human figure in a squatting or kneeling posture holding a crocodile in front with both hands. Facial features are atriculated in relief with horizontal ridge spanning from the corners of the mouth to just below the ears on both checks. The features are stylized with the head being comparatively large for the size of the body of the figure which makes the object top heavy when stood up on its base. The arms or sleeves of the figure as well as the back and tail of the crocodile are delineated with cross hatching marks. Other surfaces are undecorated. A hole of 3/4 inches deep and 1/4 inch diameter is drilled into the top of the head of the figure (male?). The hollow is not straight and the rim of the opening is unevenly beveled. Soil or burial accretion covers most of the surfaces. Where exposed, the stone is observed to have a crystal structure of interlocking, randomly oriented fibrous clusters of translucent pale gray and green color. The worn areas feel smooth and slippery.
CONDITION: Overall surface wear; otherwise in good condition.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Sapi. Figure of a Man Holding a Crocodile, 15th century or earlier. Stone, 4 x 1 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (10.2 x 3.8 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by the Noah-Sadie K. Wachtel Foundation, Inc., 2000.93.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2000.93.1_SL1_edited.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 2000.93.1_SL1_edited.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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