H x W x D: 33 x 9.5 x 9 cm (13 x 3 3/4 x 3 9/16 in.)
Type:
Figure
Geography:
Zimbabwe
Date:
Unknown
Label Text:
Despite a lack of archaeological data, this enigmatic figure has, since the 1950s, been linked to the ruins of Great Zimbabwe. A collection of granite and clay wall enclosures, stone towers and platforms dating from about the 13th to the 15th centuries, Great Zimbabwe was built as a religious center for a powerful Shona kingdom. The use of stone and the suggestion of wings on this figure have led to its comparison with the soapstone birds found at the site.
Description:
Stone figure of a man with a body tapering to a ball point, wing like projections on the back and circular holes for eyes.
Provenance:
Paul and Ruth Tishman, New York
Exhibition History:
Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 4, 2017-ongoing
The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection Highlights, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 21, 2009-June 4, 2014
African Vision: The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., February 15, 2007-March 31, 2009
For Spirits and Kings: African Art from the Paul and Ruth Tishman Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1981
African Sculpture, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., January 29-March 1, 1970; William Rockhill Nelson Gallery, Kansas City, March 21-April 26, 1970; Brooklyn Museum, May 26-June 21, 1970
Sculpture of Black Africa: The Paul Tishman Collection, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, October 16, 1968-January 5, 1969; The High Museum of Art, Atlanta; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, August 31-November 1, 1970; University of Texas College of Fine Arts, Austin; City Art Museum, St. Louis, August 20-October 17, 1971; Des Moines Art Center; Huntington Galleries, Huntington, WV
Masterpieces of African Art: Tishman Collection, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Spring-Summer 1967
Arts Meconnus de l'Afrique Noire: Collection de Paul Tishman, Musee de l'Homme, Paris, 1966
Published References:
Arts connus et arts méconnus de l'Afrique noire, Collection Paul Tishman. 1966. Paris: Musee de l'Homme, no. 134.
Fagg, William. 1970. African Sculpture. Washington, D.C.: International Exhibitions Foundation, p. 34, no. 21.
Herreman, Frank (ed.). 2003. Material Differences. New York: Museum for African Art and Gent: Snoeck-Ducaju, p. 59, no. 47.
Kreamer, Christine Mullen, Bryna Freyer and Andrea Nicolls. 2007. African Vision: The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, pp. 65, 96-97, fig. 24, no. 29.
Mellor, S. 2007. From Delicious to Not Quite Right: Subtleties in Discerning the Authenticity of African Art. Objects Specialty Group Postprints, Volume 14 CD. Washington, DC: American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, p.20, no.20.
Muze'on Yisra'el. 1967. Masterpieces of African Art: Tishman Collection. Jerusalem: The Israel Museum, no. 212.
Sieber, Roy and Arnold Rubin. 1968. Sculpture of Black Africa: The Paul Tishman Collection. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 144, no. 165.
Vogel, Susan (ed). 1981. For Spirits and Kings: African Art from the Paul and Ruth Tishman Collection. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, pp. 240-241, no. 148.
Content Statement:
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