Standing Female Figure

Guro, African
On View

in

African: Channeling Powerful Forces, Level 1, North Wing

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About the Artwork

Figures such as this Mi iri ni ("small wooden people") were used by the Guro of Côte d'Ivoire as sacred intermediaries between the human and supernatural realms. Placed against the back wall of a shrine house to receive prayers and offerings of eggs and kola nuts, they were asked to carry messages in the forms of dreams from protective spirits called zuzu to help the living solve problems.

Standing Female Figure

between 19th and 20th century

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African

Guro

Wood, beads

20 3/8 × 7 5/8 × 5 3/8 inches (51.8 × 19.4 × 13.7 cm)

Sculpture

African Art

Bequest of Robert H. Tannahill

70.95

Copyright Not Evaluated

Markings

Label on back: Toledo Museum of Art - anonymous loan 5233

Provenance

Frank Crowinshield, (New York, New York, USA);
Kleinman, (Paris, France);
Tristan Tzara, (Paris, France);
Robert H. Tannahill [1893-1969] (Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, USA);
1970-present, gift to the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

For more information on provenance, please visit:

Provenance page

Exhibition History

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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

We welcome your feedback for correction and/or improvement.

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Published References

Frank Crowinshielf Sale. Sales cat., Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc. New York, October 21, 1943, p. 62, no. 130, (ill.).

DIA Handbook. Detroit, 1971, p. 167.

Detroit Collects African Art. Exh. cat., DIA. Detroit, 1977, no. 78 (ill.).

African Masterworks In The Detroit Institute of Arts. Washington and London, 1995, cat. no. 15.

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

Guro, African, Standing Female Figure, between 19th and 20th century, wood, beads. Detroit Institute of Arts, Bequest of Robert H. Tannahill, 70.95.

Standing Female Figure
Standing Female Figure