Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Figure of a Female (Nyeleniw)

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Figure of a Female (Nyeleniw)

• Culture: Bamana
• Medium: Wood, metal
• Place Made: Bougouni or Dioila region, Mali
• Dates: 19th or 20th century
• Dimensions: 22 1/2 x 6 1/8 x 5 1/2 in. (57.2 x 15.6 x 14 cm)
• Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
• Museum Location: This item is not on view
• Accession Number: 76.20.1
• Credit Line: Gift of Marcia and John Friede
• Image: Overall, 76.20.1_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Bamana. Figure of a Female (Nyeleniw), 19th or 20th century. Wood, metal, 22 1/2 x 6 1/8 x 5 1/2 in. (57.2 x 15.6 x 14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Marcia and John Friede, 76.20.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 76.20.1_SL1.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Reddish brown wooden female figure with arms held away from sides and hands joined to hips. The coiffure is a high crest with an angular indentation at the back. The torso and head are quite angular in character. The breasts are conical shaped and protrude. Incised geometric patterns appear on face, neck, chest and front and back of torso. Encircled around left wrist are thin reeds - part of a native repair. The legs are far apart and set into the figure's own oval shaped base. The hips are carved as a flared skirt, visible from the sides and back, but not from the front. There are incised geometric designs on the skirt. Condition: traces of white pigment around legs at base, on torso and neck markings, and on head. Right arm was broken away above elbow and has been rejoined. A break at right wrist was also broken and rejoined. Both rt. and left skirt cracked and held in place by native repair with 2 large metal staples. Numererous checks throughout.