Female Figurine or Finial

late 1800s-early 1900s

Female Figurine or Finial, late 1800s-early 1900s. Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (most likely), Cabinda, or Republic of the Congo, Kongo people. Ivory and iron; overall: 11 x 4 x 4 cm (4 5/16 x 1 9/16 x 1 9/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 2010.446 This ivory figurine most likely served as the finial of a wooden staff or scepter, and owned and used by a high-ranking official or a ritual specialist. The combination of its features is quite unusual. The kneeling attitude is rather common and typically denotes respect. However, the position of the hands is anatomically incorrect with the thumbs toward the face. The idea of the striking hand gesture may refer to mourning. The oversized hands with elongated fingers are positioned in an anatomically incorrect manner with the thumbs toward the face.