Advanced Search

K-12 Educator
K-12 Student
Museum Visitor
UMMA Docent
UMMA Staff
University Faculty
University Student
Between and Mortarboard

UMMA Object Specific Fields




Query builder

How to Use the Query Builder

8 UMMA Objects
Sort by

This wooden&nbsp;figure depicts a female with a strikingly large, balloon-shaped animal skin sack tied above the crown of her head. An animal horn has been embedded within this massive sack. Representative of the northern style of Kusu carvings which is known to have sharp, angular forms, this&nbsp;<em>kakudji</em>&nbsp;features an ovoid head; a rounded, convex face and forehead; large ears; prominent cheekbones; coffeebean-shaped eyes within large ocular cavities; a well-defined, pointed nose; an elliptical mouth with slightly parted lips; a long, cylindrical neck; arms bent at the elbow, forming a 90-degree angle at the waist; and breasts that are situated nearly at shoulder level. The figure possesses a swollen belly, indicating pregnancy, and hence, representing the themes of maternity, fertility, and the continuation of the lineage. Animal skin enshrouds the female&rsquo;s lower body. Tukula powder, derived from the camwood tree and used to consecrate&nbsp;<em>kakudji</em>, appears on the figure&rsquo;s
Kusu (Kusu (Luba region style))
Power Figure
1915 – 1925
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.223

Kuba (Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style))
Flywhisk
1895 – 1905
Museum Purchase made possible by the Friends of the Museum of Art
1984/2.26
Rectangular box made of fiber and wood with wooden lid. Intersecting lines that form diamond patterns are carved into the top of the lid. 
Kuba (Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style))
Textile Storage Box
19th century
Gift of Senator Jack Faxon
1983/2.169
This carved, dark wooden drinking vessel features a standing female figure, whose disproportionately large head is nearly one-half of the entire piece’s height. The object displays the influence of foreign styles: the body reflects a Leele aesthetic while the scarifications are reminiscent of the Kuba. The facial features, however, are distinctly Wongo.<br /> The woman stands attentively with her palms resting on her upper thighs. Her coiffure consists of an intricate diamond-shape pattern carved in relief; diamond-shape motifs appear again as scarifications across the temples and throughout the torso, from the upper chest to the pelvis. Her facial traits include prominent cheekbones; a slightly arched eyebrow ridge that meets in the middle; and, a long, fine nose. The interior of the cup is smooth and polished. A piece of string has been loosely tied around the figure’s left leg.
Wongo (Wongo)
Palm Wine Cup
1915 – 1925
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.211
A small rectangular box with a button shaped lump on the center of the lid. A piece of fiber attaches the lid to the box. Geometric patterns cover the entire box. The inside of the box is entirely red from remnants of the tukula powder. 
Kuba (Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style))
Box
1885 – 1895
Museum Purchase made possible by the Friends of the Museum of Art
1984/2.24
A sculpture of a wooden figure that has been tightly wrapped in layers of cloth and animal skin, concealing the neck, arms and torso of the figure, and secured in place by a plaited fiber.  Animal skin binds the legs which stand apart and are slightly flexed at the knees.  Around the torso, a cracked-open seed pod is held in place by a piece of wood affixed to the front of the body. The oval shaped head features pierced pupils and a simple coiffure.  
Zombo (Zombo)
Power figure
1900 – 1925
Anonymous Gift
1985/1.186
This Songye&nbsp;<em>nkisi,&nbsp;</em>which depicts a standing male figure, displays many of the characteristic hallmarks of Songye anthropomorphic carvings, namely: an overall strong geometric form, squared shoulders, a large head, a triangular face with a rounded forehead and concave cheeks, deep ocular cavities, a rectangular mouth, diminutive ears, and a long, ringed neck. The head is strikingly studded with numerous, indigenously-made brass tacks; furthermore, a cavity on the skull suggests that a horn was at one point likely placed there. A belt of animal skin filled with medicinal substances is wrapped around the chest, while two strands of colored beads are tied across the torso. Three bells, themselves affixed to the strings of beads, dangle below the&nbsp;<em>nkisi&nbsp;</em>figure. An animal skin loincloth covers the bottom half of the figure. In addition to kaolin, the&nbsp;<em>nkisi</em>&rsquo;s surface bears a crusty patina, evidence that it was the recipient of consecrational and votive libatio
Songye;Kalebwe (Songye)
nkisi
1845 – 1855
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.228
Globular container with small circular base and lid. Two holes are tunneled through the lid traveling vertically down the sides of the container. A thick piece of fiber is tied through the holes and knotted at each end. Triangular and diamond geometric designs are carved throughout the entire container.
Kuba (Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style))
Powder Flask
20th century
Gift and partial purchase from the estate of Kurt Delbanco in honor of Nicholas Delbanco
2017/1.651A-B
Loading…