Vessel

Songye people, African

19th century

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Nail, African, iron
Brown ovoid vessel indents deeply at neck and rim flares outward. Shoulder and mid-section of vessel have roulette pattern; vertical line bisects body of vessel with two sets of raised bumps on either side.
Standing female figure with flexed knees, arms bent, resting on abdomen, wearing small cap, earrings, and with diamond-shaped mark on forehead. Nails and blades protruding from breasts and front of torso, and holes remaining where some nails removed; umbilical area has small animal skull covered over with organic material. Large nail protruding from back of figure, which is split along the spine, from neck to buttocks.
Blackish-brown globular vessel has neck and curved rim; four convex bands connect top of rim back to body of vessel, forming handles. Appliqued serpentine animals interspersed with sunburst or spider forms, raised ovals, and raised vertical lines adorn body of vessel.