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Artist:
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Artist Unknown
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Title:
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Toni Malau (St. Anthony)
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Date:
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late 18th-early 19th century
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Medium:
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Ivory
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Dimensions:
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10 5/16 x 3 5/16 x 2 13/16 in. (26.19 x 8.41 x 7.14 cm)
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Credit Line:
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Gift of funds from the MIA Docents in honor of Sheila McGuire
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Location:
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Gallery 254
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âSyncretismâ is the combination of different, seemingly contradictory belief systems, and this Kongo representation of Saint Anthony of Padua is a good example. Known as Toni Malau among the Kongo people, âAnthony of Prosperityâ is shown here wearing a European habit, belt, and sandals. Yet over his shoulders he wears a netted cape, a raffia garment reserved for Kongo nobility, and parts of the Childâs arms and Toni Malauâs left hand have gradually been scraped off as believers used bits of ivory for healing or protection. Drawing its form and power from both traditions, Toni Malau embodies the rich exchange between Kongo and Christian religious thought and imagery.
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Artist/Creator(s)
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Name:
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Artist Unknown
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Object Description
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Inscriptions:
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Classification:
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Sculpture
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Physical Description:
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standing figure holding Christ child who sits on a book (?) in saint's PL hand; saint holds cross in PR hand; figure wears a robe with a wide collar, tied with a twisted belt, and sandals
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Creation Place:
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Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa region, ,
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Accession #:
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2012.6
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Owner:
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The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
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