Male Figure

late 1800s-early 1900s

Male Figure, late 1800s-early 1900s. Africa, Central Africa, Republic of the Congo (most likely) or Democratic Republic of the Congo, Teke-style maker. Wood, resin, iron, copper, plant fiber, cloth, glass beads, coins, antelope horns, and cowrie shells; overall: 97.1 cm (38 1/4 in.); without base: 91.5 x 16 x 16.3 cm (36 x 6 5/16 x 6 7/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 2010.430 This exceptionally large Teke figure is well preserved and holds a medicine package partly buried in an abdominal cavity. Its size suggests that it stood at the service of a larger group of people and that its powers extended beyond the limits of a village. Its scarification marks and beard identify it as representing a chief or another dignitary. The coins on the figure’s hat were those used in the Belgian Congo.