Minsereh Figure

This resembles a minsereh, or min, figure, though the term has broadly been used to refer to any full-length carved female wooden figures. This example is, however, very short for a real min figure. Min figures are traditionally used as part of the Yasi (Bullom) or Njayei (Mende) society for curing sickness, though they have also been associated with the Sande society. This example has two topknots carved into the hairstyle, and a long segmented neck. It was originally part of the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum collection, originally acquired at Southerlys Auction Rooms, London, in 1934, and acquired by the British Museum in 1954. The original label reads “a Mendi Female Fetish Figure of slender form, with bellows neck and winged headdress .

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Further Information

• Type: Figures, sculpture
• Object: Minsereh Figure
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: 410mm [H] x 90mm [W] x 70mm [C]
• Production Date: Pre 1954
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Wellcome Historical Medical Museum
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1954.23.3659

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