Attribution Incomplete Notice
Collections and items in our institution have incomplete, inaccurate, and/or missing attribution. We are using this notice to clearly identify this material so that it can be updated, or corrected by communities of origin. Our institution is committed to collaboration and partnerships to address this problem of incorrect or missing attribution.
Open to Collaborate Notice
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Artwork Details
Culture
Creation Date
Materials
Object Types
Dimensions
16-3/4 x 9 x 10 in.
Accession Number
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg
Copyright
Collection
Color Palette
Provenance
Paul Tishman [1900-1996], New York, New York. {1} (Robert Jones Galleries, Los Angeles, California) {2}; sold to Harrison Eiteljorg [1903-1997], Indianapolis, Indiana in 8 September 1980; {3} given to Indianapolis Museum of Art in 1989. {4} {1} See Tishman's obituary in the New York Times, 22 August 1996. The Tishman Collection was exhibited several times during Tishman's lifetime. See Masterpieces of African Art: Tishman Collection, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1967, no. 178; Arts connus et arts méconnus de LAfrique Noire: Collection Paul Tishman, Musée de lHomme, Paris, 1966, no 109; and Roy Sieber and Arnold Rubin, Sculpture of Black Africa: The Paul Tishman Collection, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, 1968, no. 156 (illustration). {2} Robert Jones also sold under the name Robert Fitzgerald {3} For information about Harrision Eiteljorg, see Theodore Celenko, The Harrision Eiteljorg Collection, African Arts 14.3 (1981), 32-42, 89-90; Theodore Celenko, A Treasury of African Art from The Harrison Eiteljorg Collection Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1983; and Interview with Harrison Eiteljorg in Indianapolis Museum of Art's Previews (1989): 2-4. Harrison Eiteljorg was an industrialist and philanthropist; see his obituary in The Indianapolis Star, 2 May 1997. {4} Eiteljorg Collection No. E80.36; IMA Temporary Receipt No. 6937/1068.
Gallery Labels
Songye figures of this type serve as protective devices. Much larger figures may serve the entire community. These figures are the focus of periodic rituals that function to fight evil, and promote fertility and well-being. The animal pelts, horn and magical substances included on this figure increase its ritual power. Prestige materials, such as metal adornment evident on the figure’s head, increase the attractiveness and value of the object.
More from the Collection
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Metadata about the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection comes from Newfields’ records and research. In some cases, information may be incomplete and research is ongoing. Newfields’ goal is to have as up-to-date metadata as possible, therefore, this information is subject to change. Newfields collections’ metadata is available under a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) waiver, which allows for re-use without legal restrictions.
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