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15 UMMA Objects
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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 carved, wooden Yaka figure depicts a man standing with an animal perched atop his head. The carving is stylized and exhibits characteristics typically seen among northern Yaka figural representations: flexed knees; arms bent with upturned palms positioned at shoulder level; and, an animal figure upon its head. In this case, the creature has a curved body and appears to be an anteater. The male figure has a narrow, cylindrical body; a slightly protruding belly; a simple coiffure; an elongated face; barely-open eyes from which vertical lines extend downward; a disproportionately large, pointed nose, and a darkened beard.
Yaka (Yaka (Kwango-Kwilu region style))
Figure
1915 – 1925
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.193
As one of a pair of delicately carved, ivory statuette-pendants, this female figure stands upright, as opposed to her counterpart whose head and upper body lean slightly forward. Both, however, have a round head with a convex face; large, coffeebean-shaped eyes; a rectangular mouth with prominent lips; a cylindrical neck; and, a coiffure decorated on the back with a cruciform pattern. Additionally, both female figures clutch their breasts in their hands. The statuettes have been pierced through, allowing them to suspend from a string.
Luba (Luba (culture or style))
Power Figure
1845 – 1855
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.220.1
Horizontally positioned statue in the shape of a crocodile. The back of the statue is flattened with a slight concave in the middle. The body contains carved linear designs and the tail has a rectangular shape.
Kuba (Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style))
Rubbing Oracle
1920 – 1930
Museum Purchase made possible by the Friends of the Museum of Art
1988/1.131
This large and commanding Songye <em>nkisi</em> carved from wood depicts a male figure with the following characteristics: a large head whose crown is covered in stunning copper; almond shaped eyes; a large, oblong mouth; metal tacks across the temples; and a bold, trapezoidal chin. The figure’s hands rest on either side of its protruding belly, which bears a round mark representing its umbilicus. The <em>nkisi</em> dons a vegetable fiber loincloth which has been affixed by raffia. A trio of necklaces serve as adornments while a medicinal pestle dangles from its waist. Also remarkable is the handsome leather purse which the figure carries around its arm. 
Songye (Songye)
Power Figure
1885 – 1895
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.227
Gold-weight in the shape of a flat hexagon with a raised line bisecting the base at its widest point. On one side of the line there are three straight lines that meet at a common point; on the other side of the line there is an arch vertically bisected by a straight line. One of the recesses in the arch appears to have been filled in with some form of metal, possibly lead. 
Akan (Akan (culture or style))
Gold-weight
20th century
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
1997/1.483
Gold-weight in the shape of a triangular base, with a raised line along the edges and a bisecting line down the middle. Along one edge of the base there is a small circular protrusion. 
Akan (Akan (culture or style))
Gold-weight
1900 – 1985
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
1997/1.490
Gold-weight in the shape of a cylindrical rod with a circular loop at one end and a rectangular protrusion at the other end. Near the loop and the middle there are groups of three raised lines wrapped around the rod. 
Akan (Akan (culture or style))
Gold-weight
1900 – 1985
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
1997/1.511
Standing male figure with his hands on his chest. Cord and fiber are wrapped around one arm and a bag containing feathers and sticks is tied to the other arm. 
Male Figure
20th century
Gift of Robert M. and Lillian Montalto Bohlen in memory of Nancy Turner Bohlen
2015/2.180
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
Horizontally positioned statue in the shape of an animal. The back of the statue is flattened with a slight concave in the middle. The body is decorated with a carved diamond design consisting of intersecting lines. and the tail has a rectangular shape. There is a metal ring wrapped around the neck in addition to multicolored beads. There is also a piece of fiber attached to the neck of the statue with a small bell-shaped wooden piece attached to the end of the fiber.
Kuba (Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style))
Friction Oracle
20th century
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
1997/1.358
This small Pende ivory pendant (<em>ikhoko</em>) depicts a delicately carved male head. Stylistically, <em>ikhoko</em> bear many of the facial characteristics of anthropomorphic Pende <em>mbuya</em> masks, after which they have been modeled. In this particular example, the pendant feature an ovoid head, a tall coiffure, a large, bulbous forehead, heavily lidded, closed eyes from which vertical lines extend downward, a wide, up-turned nose, and a pointed chin. Three bands of fine decorative motifs adorn the top of the forehead. The pendant also possesses a pale yellow patina.
Pende (Pende)
Amulet Pendant
1875 – 1885
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.198
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