WEIGHT or ITEM WEIGH

Songye Culture, Democratic Republic of Congo

First half of the 20th century

Earth

H.: 7; L.: 4; Thickness: 4.5 cm

(slight old accident)

Oval in shape, this clay piece, modeled and pierced in order to be suspended and establish a counterweight, is sculpted with a janiform figure.

Songye's stylistic features are found in these faces: eyebrows meet to form the nasal bridge in a stylized heart shape, triangular-shaped nose, half-closed eyes and angular lower jaw.

The figure is punctuated with small incisions in triangles and a frontal band with interwoven hatching.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON