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Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Head Post for Performance (Female Head)
Photo: Elizabeth Mann

Head Post for Performance (Female Head)

Date20th century
Label TextHeads that honor ideal women were carried into Kuyu rituals on sticks that enabled them to rise above all other spectators and watch over the proceedings. Distinctive features identify the face as Kuyu—filed teeth, broad lips, sliver eyes and scarification across the forehead that replicates bands of cowrie shells. Surrounding the face are geometric accents that intensify the look of this female overseer.
Object number2014.30.2
Provenance[Papa Alle Gueye, Paris]; acquired in exchange from Mr. Gueye by Mark Groudine and Cynthia Putnam, Seattle, May 2013
Photo CreditPhoto: Elizabeth Mann
Credit LineGift of Mark Groudine and Cynthia Putnam
Dimensions22 x 4 1/2 x 4 in. (55.9 x 11.4 x 10.2 cm)
MediumWood
Female(?) figure
Songye culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Object number: 81.17.904
Songye culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Object number: 81.17.135
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Democratic Republic of the Congo
early 20th century
Object number: 2014.30.1
Female figure
Songye culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo
19th - 20th century
Object number: 81.17.663
Democratic Republic of the Congo
20th century
Object number: 2009.2.2
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Songye culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo
early 20th century
Object number: 2017.25
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Holo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
late 19th - early 20th century
Object number: 2018.18.5
Standing female Janus figure with horn of magic
Songye culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Object number: 68.34
Democratic Republic of the Congo
early 20th century
Object number: 2001.45
Knife
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mangbetu culture
Object number: 81.17.1678
Execution sword
Democratic Republic of the Congo
20th century
Object number: 81.17.853
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mangbetu culture
20th century
Object number: 81.17.886