Senufo
Female Ancestral Figure (Pòròpya)
Senufo, 1949-1958
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Senufo
Female Ancestral Figure (Pòròpya)
Senufo, 1949-1958
Physical Qualities
Wood, 50 1/2 x 11 x 9 5/8 in. (128.3 x 28 x 24.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Purchase with exchange funds from Gift of Alan Wurtzburger
Object Number
1960.58
The figure’s erect body, level gaze, and the echoing geometry of breasts and stomach create an icon of womanhood. This artwork represents marriage, ancestors, and community. Until the 1980s, sculptures like this one - which would have been paired with a similarly-sized male figure - were displayed at the funeral celebrations of respected elders for four to five days. Their presence visualized the continuity of community through the passing of generations.
Purchased from Henri Kamer, Paris
Wurtzburger Traveling
African Reinstallation
A Perfect Power: Motherhood and African Art
African Gallery Rotations 2021
African Gallery Rotations 2022
African Gallery Rotations 2023
African Wing Rotations 2024
African Wing Rotations 2025
'The Sun,' Baltimore, MD, July 30, 1961, Sec. A., p. 15, repro.
K.R. Greenfield, 'The Museum: Its First Half Century,' 'Annual I,' BMA 1966, repro. p. 89.
Frederick John Lamp, "See the Music Hear the Dance: Rethinking African Art at the Baltimore Museum of Art." New York: Prestel, 2003, p.31, ill.
Baltimore Museum of Art. "The Baltimore Museum of Art: Celebrating a Museum." Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art, 2014.
"Arte Tradicional da Costa do Marfim," São Paulo, 1973.
Barbier, Jean Paul, Ed., "Art of Cote D'Ivoire from the Collections of the Barbier-Mueller Museum," Geneva: Barbier-Mueller Museum, 1993, vol. II, p.22.
Christie's, "Tribal Art," London: Christie's, December 1, 1993, p.11.
Christie's, "Important Tribal Art," New York: Christie's, May 5, 1995, sale #8176, pp.
Fagg, William, "Tribes and Forms in African Art," New York: Tudor Publishing Company, 1965, pp. 21-2.
Forster, Till, "Smoothing the Way of the Dead: A Senufo Rhythm Pounder," Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin, 2005, pp. 55-67.
Fry, Jacqueline, "The Art and Peoples of Black Africa," New York: Dutton, 1974, cat. nos. 30-30a, 35-35a.
Gallery deRoche, "Art of Africa, Oceania & the Americas," San Francisco: Gallery deRoche, September 30, 1995, cat. no. 10.
Glaze, Anita, 'Woman Power and Art in a Senufo Village,' in African Arts, Spring 1975. Glaze, Anita, 'Art and Death in a Senufo Village,' Bloomington Press, 1981: 14-19, 73-74.
Goldwater, Robert, "Senufo Sculpture from West Africa," New York: Museum of Primitive Art, 1964, pp. 22-5.
Leuzinger, Elsy, "The Art of Black Africa," Greenwich, CT: New York Graphic Society, 1972, pp. 66-70.
Museum of African Art, "The DeHavenon Collection," Washington, 1971, cat nos. 94-7.
Pace Gallery Catalogue 12/74.
Robbins, Warren M. & Nancy Ingram Nooter, " African Art in American Collections: Survey 1989," Washington & London: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989, cat. nos 153-4, 169.
Sotheby's, "Important Tribal Art," New York: Sotheby's, May 15, 1991, sale #6179, cat. no. 54.
Sotheby's, "Arts of Africa, Oceania & the Americas," New York: Sotheby's, May 15, 2003, sale #NO7902, cat. no. 17.
Vogel, Susan, Ed., "For Spirits and Kings: African Art from the Tishman Collection," New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1981, pp. 46-7.
Barbier, Jean Paul, Ed., "Art of Cote D'Ivoire from the Collections of the Barbier-Mueller Museum," Geneva: Barbier-Mueller Museum, 1993, vol. II, p.22.
Christie's, "Tribal Art," London: Christie's, December 1, 1993, p.11.
Christie's, "Important Tribal Art," New York: Christie's, May 5, 1995, sale #8176, pp.
Fagg, William, "Tribes and Forms in African Art," New York: Tudor Publishing Company, 1965, pp. 21-2.
Forster, Till, "Smoothing the Way of the Dead: A Senufo Rhythm Pounder," Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin, 2005, pp. 55-67.
Fry, Jacqueline, "The Art and Peoples of Black Africa," New York: Dutton, 1974, cat. nos. 30-30a, 35-35a.
Gallery deRoche, "Art of Africa, Oceania & the Americas," San Francisco: Gallery deRoche, September 30, 1995, cat. no. 10.
Glaze, Anita, 'Woman Power and Art in a Senufo Village,' in African Arts, Spring 1975. Glaze, Anita, 'Art and Death in a Senufo Village,' Bloomington Press, 1981: 14-19, 73-74.
Goldwater, Robert, "Senufo Sculpture from West Africa," New York: Museum of Primitive Art, 1964, pp. 22-5.
Leuzinger, Elsy, "The Art of Black Africa," Greenwich, CT: New York Graphic Society, 1972, pp. 66-70.
Museum of African Art, "The DeHavenon Collection," Washington, 1971, cat nos. 94-7.
Pace Gallery Catalogue 12/74.
Robbins, Warren M. & Nancy Ingram Nooter, " African Art in American Collections: Survey 1989," Washington & London: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989, cat. nos 153-4, 169.
Sotheby's, "Important Tribal Art," New York: Sotheby's, May 15, 1991, sale #6179, cat. no. 54.
Sotheby's, "Arts of Africa, Oceania & the Americas," New York: Sotheby's, May 15, 2003, sale #NO7902, cat. no. 17.
Vogel, Susan, Ed., "For Spirits and Kings: African Art from the Tishman Collection," New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1981, pp. 46-7.
On View at the BMA
