Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Yaka

Wood, calabash, seeds
Mid 20th Century
Height: 11 inches, Gourd diameter: 5 inches
Idiophone – Struck Indirectly – Shaken -Rattle

Handle is a wooden carved Yaka male figure with an elongated head, short body, and hands resting on the abdomen. The gourd is punctured with holes symmetrically. Most art relates to kings and important chiefs, who defined their power by the display of prestigious objects during important ceremonies.   Wood rattles were used both for ceremonial occasions and as dance rattles.