Stopper

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Description

wood, partly shiny brown patina, remains of pigments, in form of a human head with expressive facial features and a hole on top of the head, dam., small missing parts through insect caused damage, cracks, wooden base;
various people of Zaire, including the Pende, the Suku, and the Yaka, carry palm wine gourds fitted with wooden stoppers carved in the form of human heads or complete figures. Although small, many are gems of miniature carving and show aspects of each group’s style.

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Comparing literature

Wardwell, Allen, African sculpture from the University Museum of Pensylvania, Pensylvania 1986, p. 106, ill. 44

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