Male Power Figure

Bembe people, Democratic Republic of the Congo, African

Early 20th century

  • Titles Male Power Figure (Descriptive)
  • Medium wood, porcelain
  • Dimensions 6 5/8 × 2 1/4 × 1 11/16 in. (16.8 × 5.7 × 4.2 cm)
  • Credit Line Gift of Norman Brachfeld, M.D., 1985.452
  • Work Type figure
  • Classification Sculpture
  • On View

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Wooden tubular pipe with small brass pendant attachment at mouthpiece end; inlaid with bands of silver filament and tiny inlaid brass wire rings filled in with resin
Surmounted by two bush-cow masks heads on each side
Pear-shaped vessel has short, narrow foot and lid with knob handle; body and lid covered with pinched points.
One of four staffs used to deliniate an area around a royal when he appears in public. Decorated with kneeling female figures with hands on breasts, alternated with knelling male drummers, at top birds and a python, below figures are quadrupeds, possibly goats, symbols of wealth.