1969.S.31 Standing female power figure (nkisi)

This small standing female nkisi leans forward and offers her breasts in a nurturing gesture. A carved animal horn projects from the top of her head, representing the real horn that is often found on minkisi and packed with consecrated materials. In this figure, such materials are inserted into the cavity in her belly and covered with a mirror, which serves as eyes that can identify witches.

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.

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.

Apply to objects where number equals 1969.S.31