Cleveland Museum of Art

Male Figure

Date

late 1800s-early 1900s

Medium

Wood, resin, iron, copper, plant fiber, cloth, glass beads, coins, antelope horns, and cowrie shells

Culture

Africa, Central Africa, Republic of the Congo (most likely) or Democratic Republic of the Congo, Teke-style maker

Department

African Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This exceptionally large Teke figure is well preserved and holds a medicine package partly buried in an abdominal cavity. Its size suggests that it stood at the service of a larger group of people and that its powers extended beyond the limits of a village. Its scarification marks and beard identify it as representing a chief or another dignitary. The coins on the figure’s hat were those used in the Belgian Congo.

The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.