Accession Number
2005/1.190

Title
Ancestor figure

Artist(s)
Beembe (Kongo)

Object Creation Date
circa 1870

Medium & Support
wood and porcelain chips

Dimensions
7 15/16 in x 3 1/8 in x 2 3/4 in (20.1 cm x 8 cm x 7 cm);7 15/16 in x 3 1/8 in x 2 3/4 in (20.1 cm x 8 cm x 7 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern

Subject matter
The presence of the beard on the male figure supports the notion that this sculpture represents an ancestor (mukuya). Such figures were commissioned by elders who wished to be remembered after they had died. They were kept alongside other sculptures and regularly attended to by the heads of families. 

Physical Description
This male standing figure is holding a weapon and has detailed scarifications on his chest and abdomen. The eyes are inserted porcelain chips and the figure shows a beard and an asymmetrical hairstyle. 

Primary Object Classification
Wood and Woodcarving

Primary Object Type
ritual figure

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
ancestors
commemorative sculpture
scarification (process)