Stone grave statues from Lower Congo
Object type:
grave sculpture
Materials:
rocks > steatite
Legend:
This stone memorial statue probably represents a European trader, holding a bottle of jenever (Dutch gin) in his right hand. Jenever was an important import product in the 19th century that was exchanged for palm nuts and ivory. The statue is a metaphor of the wealth of Europeans, with which prominent men liked to be associated.
Place of collecting:
Angola > Zaire (province)
Culture:
Mboma
Acquisition related person:
Robert Verly (°1901 - †1963) as seller
Date of acquisition:
1953-06-08
Dimensions:
51 cm
Inventory number:
EO.1953.32.30