Ovimbundu sculpture

Object type: statuette
Materials: wood, resin, horn, bead
Legend: This couple is an ocimbanda and his wife. The antelope horn that the male figure carries on his back was frequently used by the ocimbanda (diviner or traditional practitioner) as a container of charms which were used to keep harmful spirits and dangerous animals at bay.
Place of collecting: Angola > Benguela
Culture: Ovimbundu
Field collector: Robert Verly (°1901 - †1963)
Acquisition related person: Royal Museums for Art and History - Brussels as exchange
Date of acquisition: 1967-12-29
Dimensions: 20 cm
Inventory number: EO.1967.63.501