Kwere
Tanzania
Eastern and Southern Africa
Figure Posts
INV-1871
Kwere
Tanzania
Eastern and Southern AfricaEarly-mid 20th century
Figure Posts
Kwere Tanzania Eastern and Southern Africa →kwereEastern and Southern AfricaArts of Africaafrican Artsculpturearts of Africa
Date
Early-mid 20th century
Medium
Wood and kaolin
Dimensions
H.: 259.1 cm (102 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Purchased with funds provided by Terry E. and Cynthia Perucca
Figurative posts in eastern Africa and on the island of Madagascar most commonly serve as grave sculptures, but they have also been observed on the sites of initiation and spirit possession rituals and of association meetings. This pair represents a male ancestor on the left and a female one on the right. It is unclear whether the parallel rings carved around their necks mimic jewelry or are merely decorative.
Also notable
Works in the same vein
Self-Portrait
Walter Shirlaw (American, 1838–1909)
Martin Vanden Bogaert Desjardins
Gérard Edelinck (French, born Flanders, 1640-1707) after Hyacinthe Rigaud (French, 1659-1743)
Remembrance of Italy
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (French, 1796-1875) printed by Auguste Delâtre (French, 1822-1907) published by Cadart et Chavalier, Editeurs (French, 1801-1900)
Priest and Boy
Lawrence Carmichael Earle American, 1845-1921