Figure

Item number 2853/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

Data
Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Standing figure. The head is large and oblong to front and back, with large ears carved on either side, protruding eyes, a wide nose, and a hint of a mouth. Below a short neck is a round and protruding torso at the chest and buttocks, leading to combined legs that are bent at the knees. The arms of the figure are slightly bent and meet the lower body at the thighs, where the hands are smoothed into the legs. The figure stands on a circular base.

History Of Use

Nomoli figures are placed near homes and in crop fields as a form of protection, in the belief that the nomoli will bring good health and good harvests.

Narrative

Marcel Ollivier was the French Consul General posted to Freetown, Sierra Leone, c. 1960s-1970, during which time he purchased this collection of objects (2853/1-9). He later finished his diplomatic service in Vancouver as French Consul General from 1982-1986, after which he retired to England. The objects were donated to MOA at the specific request of Ollivier, via his daughter-in-law.