Attribution Incomplete Notice
Collections and items in our institution have incomplete, inaccurate, and/or missing attribution. We are using this notice to clearly identify this material so that it can be updated, or corrected by communities of origin. Our institution is committed to collaboration and partnerships to address this problem of incorrect or missing attribution.
Open to Collaborate Notice
Our institution is committed to the development of new modes of collaboration, engagement, and partnership with Indigenous peoples for the care and stewardship of past and future heritage collections.
Traditional Knowledge Notice
The TK Notice is a visible notification that there are accompanying cultural rights and responsibilities that need further attention for any future sharing and use of this material. The TK Notice may indicate that TK Labels are in development and their implementation is being negotiated. For more information about the TK Notice, visit localcontexts.org.
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Artwork Details
15-1/2 x 7 x 4 in.
Accession NumberGift from the Joseph Cantor Collection
CopyrightThe Joseph Cantor Foundation of Indianapolis, Indiana; given to the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields in 1991.
These figures represent founding ancestors and in former times were placed as guardians on basketry, bark or fiber containers, which held skulls and other bones of important family ancestors. These reliquaries were sometimes carried about during initiations and other ceremonies. They served as protection against evil forces and assisted in appeals to the spirit world for aid.
Kota figures are carved from a single piece of wood, then covered with sheets and strips of brass and copper. These figures are flat images composed of abstract, geometric forms. The characteristically oval face is bordered by projecting elements, which probably represent hairstyles. The "body” takes the form of a diamond-shaped support.
Kota figures were among the earliest African sculptures to influence European artists about a hundred years ago. Even the work of Pablo Picasso was directly influenced by Kota guardian figures.
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Metadata about the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection comes from Newfields’ records and research. In some cases, information may be incomplete and research is ongoing. Newfields’ goal is to have as up-to-date metadata as possible, therefore, this information is subject to change. Newfields collections’ metadata is available under a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) waiver, which allows for re-use without legal restrictions.
Artworks that appear in the image file(s) above may be in copyright or have other legal and/or cultural restrictions to their use. For clarity, Newfields does not claim copyright to the image files created by Newfields of artworks in the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection. Newfields makes every effort to ascertain the copyright status of artworks in the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection. Please refer to the RightsStatements.org statement above for information about the current copyright status of the artwork. Additionally, some artworks may include Local Context’s Notices or Labels that attribute cultural authority of the artwork’s heritage and data.
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