 |
 |
|
 |
|||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
Figurative Divination Instruments |
|
 he
works featured in the first eleven catalogue entries
are figurative sculptures that served as mediums through which a spirit
world might be addressed and a divinity's omniscience could be transmitted.
Among these can be found the sublime delicacy, elegance, and civilized cultivation
expressed through the male and female figures owned by a Baule diviner;
the powerfully intimidating physical presence and moral authority of a towering
Yombe nkisi nkondi figure; and the indeterminate human silhouette of a shrouded
kafigeledjo figure once used in inquiries by Senufo elders. Irrespective
of their culture of origin, these creations embody abstract spiritual forces
through representations that served as transitory sites for these ephemeral
entities to communicate otherworldly insights to the living. This is the
primary motivation underlying the patronage of Baule trance diviners and
Senufo Sando diviners today, who commission artists to make aesthetically
appealing images that flatter and attract the spirit world. Many of these
draw inspiration from—and idealize—the human form, which suggests
that in these cultures humankind is the ultimate measure of beauty and stands
at the center of worldviews as different as those of the Sherbro of Sierra
Leone or the Kongo peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. |
||||||||||||||||
 |
1.
Figures for a Trance Diviner: Couple
|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
2.
Divination Figurines |
|||||||||||||||||
 |
3.
Diviner's Figure: Equestrian (Syonfolo)
|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
4.
Oracle Figure (Kafigeledjo) Senufo, Côte d'Ivoire Wood, iron, bone, commercially woven fiber, organic material; H. 82.6 cm (32 1/2 in.) 19th–20th century The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Wielgus, 1964 (1978.412.488) |
|||||||||||||||||
 |
5.
Yassi Society Figure: Female Figure with Tray Base Base Sherbro, Kanwo, Sitwa Chiefdom, Sherbro Island, Sierra Leone Wood; 45 x 22 cm (17 3/4 x 8 5/8 in.) 19th–20th century University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia 37-22-279 |
|||||||||||||||||
 |
6.
Figure Mumuye, Nigeria Wood, organic material; H. 99 cm (39 in.) 19th–20th century Fondation Beyeler, Riehen (Basel) |
|||||||||||||||||
 |
7.
Female Figure (Kosi) Lumbo, Gabon Wood, glass inlay, string, metal; H. 39.4 cm (15 1/2 in.) 19th century Cincinnati Art Museum, Museum Purchase: Steckelmann Collection, gift by special subscription 1890.1545 |
|||||||||||||||||
 |
8. Figure Hungaan, Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood, horn, seed pod, cord; H. 40 cm (15 3/4 in.) 19th century Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Museum für Völkerkunde III C 3310a-b |
|||||||||||||||||
 |
9.
Nkisi Nkondi: Mangaaka Yombe, Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood, metal, shells; H. 121 cm (47 1/2 in.) ca. 1880–1910 Private collection |
|||||||||||||||||
 |
10. Community Power Figure (Nkishi) Songye, Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood, metal, palm oil, organic material; H. 41 cm (16 1/8 in.) 19th–early 20th century James Ross Collection |
|||||||||||||||||
 |
11. Female Bowl Bearer (Mboko) Luba, Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood, beads; H. 36.8 cm (14 1/2 in.) 19th century American Museum of Natural History, New York 90.0/2423ab |
|||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Home |
Works of Art |
Curatorial Departments |
Collection Database |
Features |
Timeline of Art History |
Explore & Learn |
The Met Store |
Membership |
Ways to Give |
Plan Your Visit |
Calendar |
The Cloisters |
Concerts & Lectures |
Educational Resources |
Events & Programs |
FAQs |
Special Exhibitions |
My Met Museum |
Press Room |
Met Podcast |
Site Index |
Now at the Met |
MuseumKids |
||||||||||||||||||
