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Seated Female Figure

17th–18th century

Not on view

While the character of these Mbembe figures are distinguished by a rusticity that has been compounded by their weathering, the degree to which this quality has been exploited by different artists varies. This seated female figure, together with three other works in this exhibition, may represent the vision of an individual master. Hints of the master’s style are evident in the arrangement of the long limbs and in the compact heads with pronounced noses and circular ears.

Seated Female Figure, Wood, Mbembe peoples — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Seated Female Figure, Wood, Mbembe peoples

Seated Female Figure, Wood, Mbembe peoples

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Seated Female Figure

Date: 17th–18th century

Geography: Nigeria, Ewayon River region, Cross River Province

Culture: Mbembe peoples

Medium: Wood

Dimensions: Height: 30 5/16 × 22 1/16 × 16 9/16 in. (77 × 56 × 42 cm)
Height with Mount: 31 1/8 in. (79 cm)

Classification: Wood-Sculpture

Credit Line: Liliane and Michel Durand-Dessert

The Met

The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at The Met

The Met's collection of art of the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific Islands, and North, Central, and South America comprises more than eleven thousand works of art of varied materials and types, representing diverse cultural traditions from as early as 3000 B.C.E. to the present.