Brooklyn Museum: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Female Figure with Medicinal Charge (Musinju)

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Female Figure with Medicinal Charge (Musinju)

The bundle on top of the head of this figure contains magical ingredients meant to draw a spirit into the image, to assist its owner with tasks such as divination. The glossy surface comes from rubbing with palm oil.

Culture: Kasongo
Medium: Wood, metal, resin
Place Made: Maniema Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dates: 19th century
Dimensions: 8 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2 in. (21.6 x 6.4 x 5.1 cm)
Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
Accession Number: 22.817
Credit Line: Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
Image: Overall, 22.817_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

Catalogue Description: Female figure. Object carried on head. Holes on either side of the head suggest that it was used as a pendant. Covered with heavy coat of sticky oil. Will probably continue to exude oil to some extent even when some is removed by conservators. Condition: Good

Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Female Figure with Medicinal Charge (Musinju)