Shrine Figure (a-Tshol, Elëk, or ma-Tshol)

Baga or Nalu Guinea Coastal West Africa →

bagaArts of Africaafrican Artnalusculpturewood

Date

Late 19th or early 20th century

Medium

Wood

Dimensions

58.7 × 26.7 × 80.1 cm (23 1/8 × 10 1/2 × 31 3/4 in.)

Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

Location

Chicago, IL

Credit

Purchased with funds provided by Mrs. Chauncey Borland; through prior gift of Mr. Raymond J. Wielgus

Among the culturally related Baga and Nalu peoples, figures combining bird and human features were the most revered objects in shrines dedicated to protecting kin. The name for one changes according to who is using it, but always means “medicine.” Together with other protective medicines in the shrine, these objects were invested with supernatural powers. On important occasions, bird-human figures are placed upon a man’s head and performed.

Also notable

Works in the same vein

Female Headdress (Nimba, D'mba, or Yamban)

Baga Guinea Coastal West Africa

Helmet Mask (Banda or Kumbaduba)

Baga or Nalu Guinea (Conakry) or Guinea-Bissau Coastal West Africa

Snake Headdress (a-Mantsho-ña-Tshol or Inap)

Baga, Nalu, or Landuma Guinea Coastal West Africa

Self-Portrait

Walter Shirlaw (American, 1838–1909)