For spirits and kings: African art from the Paul and Ruth Tishman Collection

Equatorial Africa zyxwvutsr zyxw zyxwvut zyxwv 116. RELIQU.4liY HtILF-FIGURE Gabon, Eogo Wood, nieta!, pignent, H. 16 in. (40.6 mi.) 19th-2Oth century Ancestor worship, known among the Tsogo as niombe, is illustrated in a meaningful way by full or half-figures placcd in a bunzba Bwiti. This receptacle consists of a sack made of antclope skin and basketry or simply of a basket containing various relics: human and animal liones, brass rings, grain, shclls, coins, and jewelry among thcm. T h e figure is usually set in the bumba Bwiti u p to the level of its abdomen. In most cases, though not in this one, the lower part of the figure has becn eroded. These figures function as guardians. Othcr statues or inarionettes may intervene in spcctacular rituals for nicctings of theevovi (the traditional judges) or of the Kono, Ya-hlvei, Boo, and Ombudi brotherhoods. T h e forms of Tsogo figures are usually more curved and closed and more realistically conccivcd than thosc of 'ISogo masks. T h e convex forehead of the full face is dccoratcd with a wide brass sheet reminiscent of the frontal plaques o n Alahongwe objects. Eyebrow arcades are slightly hollowcd out, the nose is strong, and the mouth is wide open. T h e position of the arms of the figure is typical: they hug the sides, with hands brought up in front of the chest. L. Perroir PublisM: Robbins 1966, no. 236 (i1l.h Paris 1966, no. 84 (i1l.h Jcrusalem 1967, no. 159 (i1l.k Sieber and Rubin 1968, no. 1 1 1 (iI1.h Fagg 1970, no. 69 (ill.). 117. JANUS FIGURI: Congo, Kuyu O u r knowledge of the the early part of this Kuyu liken the chief Kuyu, the serpent Ebon s basec. 3n observations mac... in owcrs. Among the castcm of initiation (djo), and scntcd in the carved zyxwvutsrqpo zyxwvutsrq human form are carried on a stretcher O. R.S.T.O.M. Fonds Documentaire FOR SPIRITS AND KING§ African Art from the Paul and Ruth Tishman Collection Edited .by z Susan Vogel Transiations and additional research by Kate Ezra Photographs by Jerry L. Thompson zyx zyxw THE METROPOLITAN h/ USEI. /IOFART Distributed by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, New York