late 1800s–early 1900s
Part of a set. See all set records
Wood and iron
Overall: 145 x 31.8 x 23.2 cm (57 1/16 x 12 1/2 x 9 1/8 in.)
René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 2010.460.1
This pair is of a male and female and is said to represent the culture's primordial couple. There are no other carved mother-child figures that originate from the Monzombo ethnic group.
The Ubangi region's history of successive migrations and assimilations has resulted in numerous exchanges of religious beliefs and ritual practices. Despite some stylistic traits, including the heart-shaped faces and the male's crested coiffure, this figure with its female pair is unlike any other in the Ubangian corpus. Based on indirect evidence, the pair is said to represent the culture's primordial couple.
The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.
To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.
All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.