Snuff Container Artist:Ndzaleni Dlamini (attrib.)Culture/People: ZuluPlace: South AfricaMedia: Brass and copper wireDims: 3.5 x 2 in. (8.9 x 5 cm).Date: c. 1945-50DescriptionWhen the echoing ancestral lands call you, and when there is a need for connection, sometimes...
Necklace Ornament
Neck Ornament Artist: Unknown Culture/People: Zulu Place: South Africa Media: Trade beads and fiber Dims: 45 x 1.5 in. (114.3 x 3.8 cm). Date: c. 1890DescriptionThe Message on the Zulu Beaded Necklace: The culture, language, and rich tradition of the Zulu people...
Basket
Basket Artist: Zodwa Maphumulo Culture/People: Zulu Place: South Africa Media: Telephone wire Dims: 5 (tall) x 17 in. diam. (43.1 cm). Date: c. 2006Description Feminine Poetry: The story goes that telephone wire basket weaving, or Imbenge, was invented by artists...
Ladle
Ladle Artist: Unknown Culture/People: Zulu Place: South Africa Media: Wood Dims: 13.5 x 2.25 in. (34.3 x 5.7 cm). Date: c. 1900 Description: Description The Zulu Empire was one of the most undermined and unknown empires of today. Despite it being famous for King Shaka...
Elephant Gold Weight
Elephant Gold Weight Artist: Unknown Culture/People: Akan/Asante Place: Ghana, Africa Media: Brass Dims: 1 x 2 in. (2.54 x 5 cm). Date: Mid to late 19th centuryDescription One who follows the track of the elephant never gets wet from the dew on the bushes. —Akan...
Iwisa Club (Knobkerrie)
Iwisa Club (Knobkerrie) Artist: Unknown Culture/People: Zulu Place: South Africa Media: Wood and wire wrap Dims: 26.25 x 2.75 in. (66.6 x 6.9 cm) Date: Late 19th/early 20th C.Description Although tall and slender, don't let its looks mislead you. Ted was drawn to this...
Female Figure
Female Figure Artist: Unknown Culture/People: Tabwa Place: Congo Media: Wood, beads, and pigment Dims: 7.75 x 1.375 x 1.5 in. (19.6 x 3.4 x 3.8 cm), Date: c. 1900Description This elegant figure was created in the Lake Tanganyika region of the southeastern Democratic...
Mask
Mask Artist: Unknown Culture/People: Kuba Place: Democratic Republic of Congo Media: Fiber, raffia, cowrie shells, beads, wood, and metal Dims: 23.5 x 12.75 in. (59.7 x 32.3 cm). Date: c. 1930Description This incredible Kuba mask is a mukyeem mask, a form...
Cosmetic Box
Cosmetic Box Artist: Unknown Culture/People: Kuba Place: Democratic Republic of the Congo Media: Wood, camwood pigmen Dims: 2.5 x 14 x 5.25 in. (6.3 x 13.3 cm). Date: Early 20th C.DescriptionElaborately carved Kuba boxes are used to store and ground red wooden powder...
Maiden Mask
Maiden Mask Artist: Unknown Culture/People: Igbo Place: Nigeria, West Africa Media: Wood and pigment Dims: 18.5 x 8.5 v 12.25 in. (46.9 x 21.6 x 31.1 cm). Date: Early 20th C.Description In the north-central region (Awkwa area) of where the Igbo live, masks owned by...
Gelede Headdress
HEADDRESS Artist: Unkown Culture/People: Yoruba, Nigeria or Benin Place: West Africa Media: Wood Dims: 13.75 x 7.5 x 10.5 in. (35 x 19 x 26.7 cm). Date: c. 1920DescriptionThe Gelede, a men’s association honoring the special powers of women, holds it principal festival...
Head
HEAD Artist:Unkown Culture/People: Yombe or Vili Place: Zaire Media: Wood, glass, and pigment Dims: 4.75 x 2.25 x 2.75 in. Date: late 19th C.DescriptionThis very beautiful Yombe head may well have been cut out of a larger figure, or even more probable it was carved as...