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11 UMMA Objects
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This anthropomorphic <em>nkisi</em>, or power figure, stands upright and features a rather large, forward-tilting head with a prominent, parted mouth, high cheekbones with shallow cheeks, and chipped glass-encrusted lower eyes. A brass tack pierces the figure’s forehead, directly above its nose.  The figure possesses a rectangular torso and robust appendages, although the lower arms and feet are missing. The figure likely held a medicine pack upon its abdomen, evidenced by the four holes bored into its torso, and another one upon its cranium. Around the figure’s neck is a collar, possibly of leather, another place in which medicines are carried.
Vili (Kongo) (Vili)
Power Figure
1845 – 1855
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.179
This small power figure features a naturalistic human face engulfed in layers of multi-media attachments, which create an imposing visual effect. The figure wears a blue turban wrapped around its head that binds bundles of medicinal substances and is crowned with several feathers. It also dons a metal necklace and a small bone dangles from the arm. The lower body is covered in fiber and a skirt of long leather strips. Possessing eyes encrusted with glass, the figure stands on top of a carved wooden turtle and holds the tip of a curved piece of wood in its mouth, the other end of which terminates in its clutched right hand. A large medicine pack, topped with a round mirror, is affixed to the figure's torso, which is thickly coated with resin and red pigment.
Yombe (Yombe (culture or style))
Power Figure
1850 – 1899
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.191
This wooden figure depicts a standing female whose upper body is wrapped with woven fiber and metal rings, while multi-colored beads and metal objects including clips, a pendant, and a smaller ring dangle from her ears. Arms, facial details, a coiffure, and defined toes are not present.  <br />  
Zande (Zande)
Power Figure
1905 – 1915
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.236
Male figured seated on high-backed stool with hands resting on abdomen; symmetrical scarification patterns on cheeks and temples, also down center of forehead and at base of the nose. Coiffure is high crested and segmented. Figure wears sandals and necklace or amulet around neck. Figure has sheen to patina, pigmented deep brown in contrast to stool. Figure has bore hole in back between buttocks.<br />
Baulé (Baule (culture))
Male Spirit Spouse Figure (Blolo Bian)
1920 – 1960
Museum Purchase assisted by the Friends of the Museum of Art
1971/2.32
This anthropomorphic <em>nkisi</em>, or power figure, stands upright with its head turned 90 degrees to the side. Like many <em>minkisi</em>, this one features a wide range of materials. A long metal chain hangs around its neck and a fiber packet containing medicinal substances is tied across its forehead with its loose ends dangling far below. More fiber is wrapped around its lower torso. The face features a slightly parted mouth and large eyes with attentive, black pupils. Protruding from the figure is a large, prominent belly, upon which is affixed a small horn.  
Vili (Kongo) (Vili)
Power Figure
1870 – 1880
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.177
This exquisite Vili whistle (<em>nsiba</em>) is has two separate components: the body of the whistle is a gazelle horn that has been placed through a small, conical hole in the rounded base of a delicately carved wooden cap. Upon this cap, two nearly identical birds, with their talons clutching the base, stand face-to-face and chest-to-chest, grasping onto a single spherical object representing a peanut between their open beaks. Given this motif, the carving naturally possesses a high degree of symmetry and balance. The cap is further embellished by a smooth and polished finish.
Vili (Kongo) (Vili)
Whistle
1850 – 1900
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.181
This wooden figure depicts a standing female whose body is adorned with red cloth and multiple metal rings, some of which have turned green due to oxidation. Arms, legs, facial details, and a coiffure are not present.  <br />  
Zande (Zande)
Power Figure
1875 – 1885
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.237
This &nbsp;figure stands in a dynamic pose with knees slightly flexed. This androgynous figure sports a European-style hat, a crescent-shaped beard, and a realistically carved penis. The figure has gracefully curved shoulders and powerful legs. The&nbsp;feet and the arms, originally bent at ninety degrees, have been damaged. Most Bwende figures bear forms of scarification; this figure is no exception. Ornate scarifications are carved in relief upon its abdomen and torso while lined scarifications appear across the chest and forehead and beneath the eyes, which are inlaid with white shell. Most strikingly, however, are the two large metal rods that forcefully pierce the figure&#39;s abdomen.
Bwende (Bwende)
Power Figure
1885 – 1895
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.178
This small figure is that of a dog who has short legs, a thick, curled tail, small ears, and an elongated muzzle. Its mouth is open with pointed teeth bared and tongue slightly hanging. Its eyes include small mirrors and feature the white mineral <em>kaolin</em>. On the dog’s back is a large, mirror-topped medicine pack which has been sealed with resin.  There are two recesses on top of both hind legs which also likely held packets of medicine.  Near the top of the two front legs are hollow projections, which have broken off.
Vili (Kongo) (Vili)
Power Figure
1845 – 1855
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.182
This figure sits serenely in a cross-legged position with one hand raised to the chin and the other resting upon on a knee. The figure's prominent rounded cheekbones, eyes embedded with pieces of mirror, large ears, and broad shoulders are typical traits seen in Vili carved figures. The figure is decorated with tukula powder and kaolin and has a worn, reddish-brown patina. The cavity at the back of the head and another in the abdomen indicate that this figure once bore potent medicinal substances and operated as an <em>nkisi</em>, an object of power.
Vili (Kongo) (Vili)
Power Figure
1795 – 1805
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.180
This male figure has a powerful body, with a smooth, bare chest that stands with knees flexed and arms bent next to the sides of the abdomen. The elaborate coiffure is styled as a braid forming concentric circles at the back of the head. The figure exhibits many of the facial traits characteristic of the Chokwe expansionistic style including half-closed eyes set in large, concave ocular cavities; small nose; arched ears; large, rectilinear mouth with fleshy lips; and a prominent disk-shaped chin. The figure dons pants depicting shredded fiber worn by masked dancers. It has large feet that lack toes; the fingers are also not shaped. Notably, the figure has several cavities: one on the top of the head, one in the middle of the abdomen, and another between its legs. These openings held medicinal ingredients which were either placed on their own or contained in a horn. The figure&#39;s body features honey coloration and a black coating, characteristics frequently seen in figures of the neighboring Lwena people.
Hamba (ancestor) figure
1915 – 1925
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.206
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