ticketsMember | Make a donation

Staff Finial: Kneeling Female with Clasped Hands

19th century, documented ca.1891
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
Several photographs show this finial attached to its original staff of office held by the regional chief Nemlão (ca. 1788– 1888), who had positioned himself to profit from proximity to nodes of international trade on the Congo River, establishing several villages with advantageous access to Boma, capital of the Congo Free State beginning in 1886. Born in Saint-Antoine, on the southern bank of the Congo River controlled by the Portuguese, he established several villages with advantageous access to Boma. Catholic Spiritans set up a mission in one of these in 1886. Nemlão was baptized, and in photographs it seems evident that he underscored his affiliation with Catholicism. This kneeling female figure with hands clasped below her chin is likely in an attitude of Christian prayer.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Staff Finial: Kneeling Female with Clasped Hands
  • Date: 19th century, documented ca.1891
  • Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Banana region
  • Culture: Kongo peoples
  • Medium: Ivory
  • Dimensions: H. 6 3/8 in. (16.3 cm), W. 1 5/8 in. (4 cm), D. 1 3/4 in. (4.5 cm)
  • Classification: Bone/Ivory-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich; Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing