Figure Item Number: 3192/3 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Small iron figure. Man stands slightly crouched, with feet apart, holding a large musical instrument in his hands. Instrument has a wide round body, flat in profile, and painted around the edge in red and blue stripes. Underside is filled with hard dirt. Handle is long and curves upwards, painted yellow. Man wears white shorts with blue and yellow stripes, and a flat-topped hat. His torso is unclothed.

History Of Use

Metal statuettes are widely commercialized in Africa. After the independence of African countries from European colonial rule in the 1960s, metal-based products became popular commodities for foreign visitors. They represent musicians, farmers, and incorporate elements from various African cultures; they are frequently tailored to tourist’s perceptions. The string instrument the figure is holding is a possibly a kora.

Narrative

Given to the donor as gifts when she was working in France in the late 1960s, for the French Government (Union Nationale des Maisons Familiales Rurales d'Education et d'Orientation).