Janus Figure for Khosi Cult

Browse the collection

Culture Yaka

Title Janus Figure for Khosi Cult

Date 19th–20th century

Medium Wood and pigment

Dimensions Object: 21 3/16 × 4 3/8 × 4 11/16 in. (53.8 × 11.1 × 11.9 cm)
Overall: 21 3/16 × 4 3/8 × 4 11/16 in. (53.8 × 11.1 × 11.9 cm)

Credit Line Gift of Mr. Raymond E. Britt, Jr., Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University

Accession Number 77.98.13

Share this artwork!

About this Work

This figure was intended to invoke the spiritual realm in order to benefit the living by being used in healing rites intended not only to cure individuals but also punish anyone responsible for causing the illness. Female on one side and male on the other, the figure is covered with red and white pigment–white, the color associated with healing, and red with punishment.

Provenance
More Details

Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

Viewing Information
This artwork is currently on view.

Request this Image
The Eskenazi Museum of Art provides images of its collection, free of charge, upon request. This artwork is under copyright protection. You can request the image and it will be emailed to you when the request is complete.

Cite this Page
"Janus Figure for Khosi Cult | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=77.98.13