Senufo Wooden Sculpture of a Standing Woman, 20th Century CE
Wood
20.5
PF.3943
Further images
This beautiful woman is a perfect example of the pristine craftsmanship of African art. Her beauty is unparalleled, while the angularity of her features adds charm to her already stunning...
This beautiful woman is a perfect example of the pristine craftsmanship of African art. Her beauty is unparalleled, while the angularity of her features adds charm to her already stunning beauty. She stands on a drum-like pedestal with her legs slightly bent and her arms straight. Her abdomen is distended and the area around her navel shows signs of scarification. The same occurs around her breast. She wears little in the way of jewelry, only armlets and bracelets. Below her stomach is a simple belt-like ornamentation. Her hair is of particular interest. It has been divided into three parts, and the delicate carving shows the strands of hair. The top of her head has a similar carved design yet it takes on the shape of a bird. The face itself has scarification which adds uniqueness to her charming face. With this work of art, the artist has been able to capture the beauty of woman as well as the beauty that can be found in sculpture, using only the simplest of methods.