Reliquary Figure (Mbulu Ngulu)
Arts of Africa
The Kota believe that the bones of important men and women retain power after death, providing protection and good fortune to an individual's descendants. The bones are preserved in reliquaries made of bark or basketry. On top are placed figures known as bwiti. This bwiti typifies the Kota style. The face is covered with strips of hammered brass and copper. The neck swells into an open lozenge shape, the lower part of which is thrust into the container of bones forming its "body."
CULTURE
Kota (Ndumu or Obamba subgroup)
MEDIUM
Wood, copper alloy, copper, accumulated/applied materials
DATES
late 19th–early 20th century
DIMENSIONS
20 3/4 x 8 3/8 x 2 1/4 in. (52.7 x 21.3 x 5.9 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER
56.6.19
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Arturo and Paul Peralta-Ramos
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Ancestral figure, concave geometric face type, eyes and nose raised, crest above head, body diamond shaped; surfaces covered with hammered metal or metal strips. CONDITION: Good.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Kota (Ndumu or Obamba subgroup). Reliquary Figure (Mbulu Ngulu), late 19th–early 20th century. Wood, copper alloy, copper, accumulated/applied materials, 20 3/4 x 8 3/8 x 2 1/4 in. (52.7 x 21.3 x 5.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Arturo and Paul Peralta-Ramos, 56.6.19. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 56.6.19_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 56.6.19_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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