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Janus Figure
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
This Janus figure features opposing faces and symbolizes change and transformation. A cavity in the top of the head served to hold ingredients with magical and medicinal qualities. The figure played a pivotal role in cults dedicated to the ancestors; in exchange for prayers, libations, and offerings, the ancestors were asked to safeguard the well-being and fertility of the population.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineJanus Figure, late 1800s-early 1900s. Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Hemba-style maker. Wood; overall: 30.8 x 7.9 x 7.3 cm (12 1/8 x 3 1/8 x 2 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund, 2010.458
