Divination Figure (Hamba)

19th–20th century

Not on view

The broad expanse of open savanna in southern Democratic Republic of the Congo and northern Angola witnessed the rise of several wealthy and powerful states during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In these societies art objects are made to show the power of the chief. Chokwe chiefs and those of related peoples, such as the Songo and Ovimbundu, possess many articles--chairs, stools, ceremonial weapons, staffs of office, even tobacco pipes--elaborately carved with figures and scenes of village life. Careful attention is paid to accurate depiction of tattoo marks, coiffures, and headdresses, such as the high curving one worn by the Chokwe chief himself.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Divination Figure (Hamba)
Date: 19th–20th century
Geography: Angola
Culture: Chokwe or Lwena (?)
Medium: Wood, snakeskin, cloth, fiber, glass, abrus seeds, mirror, metal, wire, resin, clay
Dimensions: H. 8 3/4 x W. 3 3/4 x D. 2 in. (22.2 x 9.5 x 5.1 cm)
Classification: Wood-Sculpture
Credit Line: Gift of Ernst Anspach, 1988
Object Number: 1988.367
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

From the same culture

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Mwanangana (lord of the land) playing a sanza, Chokwe artist, Wood (uapaca), cloth, plant fiber, beads, dye, resinous coating, Chokwe — Mwanangana (lord of the land) playing a sanza
Chokwe artist
19th century (before 1869)

Mangaaka Power Figure (Nkisi N’Kondi), Yombe-Kongo artist and nganga (ritual specialist), Wood, iron, resin, ceramic, plant fiber, textile, pigment, Kongo — Mangaaka Power Figure (Nkisi N’Kondi)
Yombe-Kongo artist and nganga (ritual specialist)
Kongo artist and nganga, Yombe group
ca. 1880–1900

Seated Male Figure, Wood, glass, metal, kaolin, Kongo peoples, Kakongo group — Seated Male Figure
Kongo peoples, Kakongo group
mid to late 19th century

Commemorative female figure, Chokwe artist, Wood, hair remnants, Chokwe — Commemorative female figure
Chokwe artist
Late 19th century

Seated tumba (memorial figure), Kongo artist, Steatite, Kongo — Seated tumba (memorial figure)
Kongo artist
Late 18th–early 19th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.