152 



ANCIENT AKT OF THE PROVINCE OF CHIRI 



Tlie figures occupy a sitting postuit Tlie kgs a'c si)i-c;ul cmt hori- 

 zontally, giving a firm support, and terminate m blunt cones, which 

 are in some cases slightly bent up to represent feet. The hands rest 

 ui.on the sides or thighs or (1 i^p i^iii ill lunit ijip iivutly intended for 

 an infant, which, however dx^n,,!'^ i in l .lii\( my liuni.'iii tV-aturi's. 

 In one case this figure is jil u < d n]Min tin li u k nf tlie figurine and 

 appears to hold its place by meau'5 of tour teet armed with claws (Fig. 

 220); in another it is held in front (Fig. 227) The neck is usually 

 pierced to facilitate sus]iensii,n md the under side of the body — the 

 sitting surface— is lii|)l\ (m il n tied or punctured if solid, as if 

 for the purpose I if tixing tin Ii^uk in an upright position to some 



movable support. The central perforation is round and the lateral 

 ones, on the under side of the legs, are oblong. The largest specimen 

 is six inches in height and the smallest about one and a half inches. 

 They are rather elaborately painted with black and red devices 

 which, by their peculiar geometric character, are undoubtedly in- 

 tended to indicate the costume. The hair is represented by black 

 stripes, which descend upon the neck, and the face is striped with red. 

 They are found associated with other relics in the graves and were 

 ])()ssibly only toys, but nioic proliably were tutelary images or 



