This figure was carved in the style of the Toma people of Guinea/Liberia. The statue depicts a female figure in a kneeling position. She is wearing a tattered garment and has beautiful scarification marks throughout her body. There is some cracking, scuffing and chipping, please inspect photos carefully.
| Type of Object | Figure, statue |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Guinea |
| Ethnicity | Toma, Thoma |
| Material | Wood, pigment and fabric |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 30" |
| Width (Inches) | 11" |
| Depth (Inches) | 9" |
| Weight (Pounds) | 19 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Cracks on head and body. Scuffing and wear and tear throughout. |
Tribe Information
About the Toma People
“The Toma people of Guinea (known as Loma in Liberia) number 200,000 and live in the high-altitude rain forest lying across the Guinea-Liberia border. Artistically, their reputation rests on their Landai mask which has an articulated crocodile jaw and a flattened, stylized human face. This mask symbolically devours Poro society candidates at the end of their initiation period, after which they are revived as full members of this sodality. Some rare figures exist which are kept within each household.”
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.