Carved Steatite Nomori Figure

This small steatite stone figure was made by the West African people whom early Portuguese sailors referred to as the Sapi.

Stone sculpture is rare in West Africa but small clusters of hundreds of such figures have been unearthed in Sierra Leone and in nearby territories. They were largely unearthed by a later people, the Mende and Kissi, who often uncovered them whilst working the land. The name ‘nomoli’ is a Mende term. It is likely that they were carved by the Sapi to represent ancestors – possibly they served as a memorial image for each individual who had died – and when found by the Mende, they were used again as ritual objects. The form of the figures has little or no relationship to anything produced by the later occupiers of the lands: the Mende, Kissi and related groups.

The figure here squats on a base with rounded hips, the abdomen leading to rounded shoulders. Muscular arms and over-sized arms rest on the knees and a thick cylindrical neck supports an over-sized head with exaggerated facial features including pronounced lips and bulging eyes.

Related examples are illustrated in Cattaneo et al (2009. p. 144-45), Poynor (1995, p. 195), and Phillips (2004, p. 470-71).

The figure and a fine, weathered, grey patina, and a smoothness from handling. Losses are minor and as expected. The figure is free-standing – no stand or support is required for display.