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Yanda power figure

19th–mid-20th century
Not on view
The nobles of the Zande court turned to Mangbetu craftsmen for many prestige items, while Zande artists themselves made the small roughly finished human and animal figures used by a religious cult called Mani. Through magical means, Mani sought advantages for its non-aristocratic members and protection from harm.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Yanda power figure
  • Date: 19th–mid-20th century
  • Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Culture: Zande peoples
  • Medium: Wood, sacrificial materials
  • Dimensions: H. 7 7/8 x W. 3 3/8 x D. 3 in. (20.1 x 8.6 x 7.6 cm)
  • Classification: Wood-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1960
  • Object Number: 1978.412.427
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
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Madame de Wailly, née Adélaïde-Flore Belleville (1765–1838), Augustin Pajou  French, Bust: marble; base: grey marble, French, Paris
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