Staff Finial: Kneeling Female Figure

19th–early 20th century
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
Kongo female figures kneeling with hands on their thighs assume an ancient pose (fukama ye mooko va bunda) that seeks to assuage and petition for forgiveness.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Staff Finial: Kneeling Female Figure
  • Artist: Master of Makaya-Vista
  • Date: 19th–early 20th century
  • Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo; Republic of the Congo; Cabinda, Angola
  • Culture: Kongo peoples; Woyo group
  • Medium: Ivory
  • Dimensions: H. 5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm), W. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm), D. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm)
  • Classification: Bone/Ivory-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Private collection
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
Master of Makaya-Vista - Staff Finial: Kneeling Female Figure - Kongo peoples; Woyo group - The Metropolitan Museum of Art