Kongo Female Power Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo

height 11 1/2 in (29.2cm)

Provenance
Aguedo Hernandez Herrero Collection, Mexico City, acquired in the 1970s
Thence by descent

Of diminutive size but powerful presence with a yellow ochre face with inlaid glass eyes, three nails inset into her mouth, wearing circular metal earrings of different size and metal anklets; the back with a rectangular cover for fetish cavity; fetish material inserted into the shoulder and champlevé scarification to the abdomen; her upper torso and arms covered with ochre ritual patination adding to her mysterious physical presence.