Female Bowl-Bearing Figure, late 1800s-early 1900s. Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Luba-style carver. Wood, glass beads, upholstery studs, plant fiber, and iron; overall: x x cm (16 1/16 x 6 5/16 x 10 3/4 in.). This bowl-bearing figure functioned as an oracle for a royal diviner who used it to reveal the origin of problems brought to his attention. The diviner would dispense to his patient a mixture of medicinal substances and chalk from the bowl. This sculpture also served to protect and heal the local village as a whole.

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Size: 2540px × 3400px
Photo credit: © CMA/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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