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Carved seated female figure holding child.
maternity figure
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista

maternity figure

Artist Osei Bonsu (Ghanaian, b. 1900 - d. 1977)
Date1944
Place of originGhana, Africa
Mediumcarved wood
Dimensions14 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (36.8 x 14 x 14 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineGift of Lewis Berner and family
Object number2002.31.1
Collections
Visual DescriptionCarved seated female figure holding child.
Carved female figure with articulated legs and arms, typical akua ba enlarged head and cloth diaper.
fertility figure
Osei Bonsu
1944
Standing figure with human and animal features.
Forest Spirit (sasabonsam)
Osei Bonsu
1944
Standing male figure with two drums.
Drummer
Osei Bonsu
1944
Standing female figure.
doll
Osei Bonsu
c. 1945
Kneeling female figure holding infant.
Maternity figure (phemba)
Kongo Artist
20th Century
Round bowl-shaped basket containing sculptures of varied dimensions and materials, including manmade and natural objects/substances; pelts attached to rim.
Divination basket (tuphele or tupele)
Luvale Artist
1973
Seven Buddhist deities are depicted in seated positions; auspicious symbols within scrolling border; they sit on thrones supported by animal vehicles; gilt gold and pigment on carved wood.
Manuscript Cover
Tibetan
12th century
Akan wood female figure seated in a stool with child on the lap, sandals, neck rings, scarifications, plaited coiffure, pigments and strands of beads.
Seated Female Figure (esi mansa)
Fante Artist
20th Century
Standing female figure in the form of an axe head, feet form chisel end, separated by cut groove, hands on abdomen, arms indicated at side, breasts apparent, head tapers towards top, nose is large protruding blade, eyes and mouth are shallow grooves, top of head is pecked flat. Bottom of feet and top of head have peck marks as if used for striking.
Small female axe-head figure
Mezcala Artist
100 B.C. - 200
Standing anthropomorphic figure in the form of an axe head, feet form chisel end with grove carved between on front and back, arms indicated at side, hands across abdomen, figures shown by cut grooves, features shallow, wide flat nose, heavy brow, head tapers toward top
Large male axe-head figure
Mezcala Artist
300 - 100 B.C.
Standing figure with left hand on thigh and right arm resting on round stomach (hand missing); overall thick form with little detail; large head and facial features; carved linear design for hair.
Male Figure
Costa Rican Artist
undated
Carved caryatid support in the form of a kneeling maternity figure holding a child on her back; the child's head is turned to the side; mound base; hemispherical bowl carved on the rim with geometric design; dark patina.
Divination Cup (agere ifa) or (arugba ifa)
Yoruba Artist
20th century

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