Standing female figure

Description

wood, greyish brown patina, black paint, carrying a bowl on the head, female sexual characteristics accentuated, bulging belly like a pregnant woman, missing parts through insect caused damage (base), fine cracks, abrasion of paint, metal plate;
figures like the present might have belonged to female societies and were used for the education of young girls. They were displayed on certain fertility and rain-making rituals. According to H. Leloup they were called “so-ma-so” (“listen to me”), a sentence effective for education and for prayers for fertility as well.