Female Steatie Figure

A Steatite, or soapstone, figure, depicting part of a female torso, with circular scarification lines around the navel. This figure may be associated to Nomoli figures, also made out of steatite. The age of nomolis relatively unknown, however there is evidence to suggest that they predate Portuguese encounters with the coastal areas of Sierra Leone in the 15th and 16th century. They are thought to have originally represented chiefs or group leaders. More recently, however, such figures have been re-discovered and used as rice gods to encourage high yields. Many believe them to be naturally formed, rather than carved.

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Further Information

• Type: Figures, sculpture
• Object: Female Steatie Figure
• Materials: Stone
• Culture Group: Kono
• Dimensions: 75mm [H] x 55mm [W] x 50mm [C]
• Production Date: Pre 1906
• Associated Places: Mendeland
• Associated People: A. W. Boddy
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1906.525.11

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