Staff Finial: Kneeling Female Figure

19th–20th century, inventoried 1936

Not on view

Returned to lender

This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.

This solitary kneeling woman with eyes closed and a distinctive elongated head executed with fluid delicacy was once the finial of the staff of office owned by the Woyo chief Pedro Diamante. The Belgian colonial official Edmond Dartevelle acquired this refined miniature in the village of Makaya Vista between 1933 and 1936 and subsequently gave it to the Royal Museum of Central Africa. Its author appears to have been responsible for four other closely related finials.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Staff Finial: Kneeling Female Figure
Artist: Master of Makaya-Vista
Date: 19th–20th century, inventoried 1936
Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Makaya-Vista village
Culture: Kongo peoples; Woyo group
Medium: Ivory
Dimensions: H. 4 3/4 in. (11.9 cm), W. 1 3/8 in. (3.6 cm), D. TK in. (TK cm).
Classification: Bone/Ivory-Sculpture
Credit Line: Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing