Carved wooden statue, Democratic Republic of Congo, 1880-1910
- Made:
- 1870-1926 in Democratic Republic of Congo
- maker:
- Basonge people
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LicenseCarved wooden effigy of a one legged man with a gigantic foot
Science Museum Group Collection
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Carved wooden effigy of a one legged man with a gigantic foot, possibly Songye (Basonge) people, Congo, 1880-1910
The wooden figure shows a man with one over-sized foot. It is possible that this represents the condition elephantiasis. Elephantiasis is a rare disorder of the lymphatic system in the human body. Inflammation of the lymphatic vessels causes extreme enlargement of the affected area. This item is thought to have been made by the Songye (Basonge) people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A652610
- Materials:
- wood
- type:
- statue
