GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This standing male figure is rendered in a semi-abstract manner. Facial features are limited to open eyes and a nose; the mouth—a thin line—is obscured under layers of pigment. Rows of blackened parallel lines form the hairstyle. The arms are carved close to the torso with the hands, carved in full relief, resting just above the onion-shaped belly. The legs form zigzags but with soft angles. Comparison with other Mbete figures of this type suggests that this one was once clothed in a raffia wrapper.
In contrast to their neighbors, the Mbete preserve the precious relics of their deceased leaders in hollowed standing figures. The relics were deposited through an opening at the back, which was sealed with a door, the hinges of which are knotted fibers. The figure was coated repeatedly with kaolin, the white color signifying the realm of ancestors, purity, peace, and healing.
Excerpt from
- Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa.
NOTES
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Kota-Mbete region styles: AAT: 300016183
Mbete: AAT: 300016194
Geography
Gabon (nation): TGN: 1000164
Process/materials
carving (processes): AAT: 300053149
kaolin: AAT: 300010445
wood (plant material): AAT: 300011914
hinges (hardware): AAT: 300033367
Historical periods
nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513
twentieth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404514
Individuals
Subject terms
ancestor veneration: AAT: 300400471
ancestors: AAT: 300255718
doors: AAT: 300002803
eyes (animal or human components): AAT: 300400484
faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798
figures (representations): AAT: 300189808
hairstyles: AAT: 300262903
raffia (fiber): AAT: 300014051
relics: AAT: 300250795
reliquaries (liturgical containers): AAT: 300187549
reliquary figures: AAT: 300184881
sculpture: AAT: 300047090
standing: AAT: 300239500
white (color): AAT: 300129784
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Before 2015: Steve Farr, Dallas, Texas
By 2015: John Lunsford, Dallas, Texas
2016: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of John Lunsford in memory of Eleanor Fullilove Lunsford and Robert Lunsford
The main source for this provenance is the information registered on the Dallas Museum of Art TMS.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art~Learn more about Mbete reliquary figures.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 2016.64.1
Category
rules_operator
AND
General Description
This standing male figure is rendered in a semi-abstract manner. Facial features are limited to open eyes and a nose; the mouth—a thin line—is obscured under layers of pigment. Rows of blackened parallel lines form the hairstyle. The arms are carved close to the torso with the hands, carved in full relief, resting just above the onion-shaped belly. The legs form zigzags but with soft angles. Comparison with other Mbete figures of this type suggests that this one was once clothed in a raffia wrapper.
In contrast to their neighbors, the Mbete preserve the precious relics of their deceased leaders in hollowed standing figures. The relics were deposited through an opening at the back, which was sealed with a door, the hinges of which are knotted fibers. The figure was coated repeatedly with kaolin, the white color signifying the realm of ancestors, purity, peace, and healing.
Excerpt from
- Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Kota-Mbete region styles: AAT: 300016183
Mbete: AAT: 300016194
Geography
Gabon (nation): TGN: 1000164
Process/materials
carving (processes): AAT: 300053149
kaolin: AAT: 300010445
wood (plant material): AAT: 300011914
hinges (hardware): AAT: 300033367
Historical periods
nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513
twentieth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404514
Individuals
Subject terms
ancestor veneration: AAT: 300400471
ancestors: AAT: 300255718
doors: AAT: 300002803
eyes (animal or human components): AAT: 300400484
faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798
figures (representations): AAT: 300189808
hairstyles: AAT: 300262903
raffia (fiber): AAT: 300014051
relics: AAT: 300250795
reliquaries (liturgical containers): AAT: 300187549
reliquary figures: AAT: 300184881
sculpture: AAT: 300047090
standing: AAT: 300239500
white (color): AAT: 300129784
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Before 2015: Steve Farr, Dallas, Texas
By 2015: John Lunsford, Dallas, Texas
2016: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of John Lunsford in memory of Eleanor Fullilove Lunsford and Robert Lunsford
The main source for this provenance is the information registered on the Dallas Museum of Art TMS.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
2016.64.1
source file
object_notes_2_d-0563.xml.nores