Figure

Senufo peoples, Côte d'Ivoire
19th century
Wood
Height 116.8 cm (46 in.)
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Leyden

Provenance
Julius and Josefa Carlebach, New York
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Leyden

Photograph by Franko Khoury

The figure's elongated and extended arms enhance its abstraction and also allow the figure to be carried and pounded on the ground as a percussive musical instrument at funerals. Hence, the popular name rhythm pounder.