GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The empty hole atop this figure's head and in its belly suggests that this small "brass"-studded nkisi may have been deactivated. These cavities once contained potent medicines that empowered the figure. According to some scholars, studded figures like this one were used to cure smallpox. Similar to metal strips found on the forehead and nose of some minkisi, the metal studs refer to lightning, which can counteract aggressive actions of malevolent forces that were believed to cause the disease.
Adapted from
- Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.
- Roslyn A. Walker, The Arts of Africa at the Dallas Museum of Art (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2009), 164-165.
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PROVENANCE
n.d.: Walschot Collection, Brussels
n.d.: Clark and Frances Stillman Collection, Dallas, Texas/New York
1969: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Eugene and Margaret McDermott [1]
[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
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Apply to objects where number equals 1969.S.181
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General Description
The empty hole atop this figure's head and in its belly suggests that this small "brass"-studded nkisi may have been deactivated. These cavities once contained potent medicines that empowered the figure. According to some scholars, studded figures like this one were used to cure smallpox. Similar to metal strips found on the forehead and nose of some minkisi, the metal studs refer to lightning, which can counteract aggressive actions of malevolent forces that were believed to cause the disease.
Adapted from
- Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.
- Roslyn A. Walker, The Arts of Africa at the Dallas Museum of Art (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2009), 164-165.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
n.d.: Walschot Collection, Brussels
n.d.: Clark and Frances Stillman Collection, Dallas, Texas/New York
1969: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Eugene and Margaret McDermott [1]
[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
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1969.S.181
source file
object_notes_4_a-0232.xml.nores