-
Face mask of oval form with multi-perforations on two sides and a raised H-shaped panel in the center. This rare mask is worn by an executioner or "Kumi" during circumcision rituals and funerals of the Lilwa society. The side areas are painted with a mixture of kaolin and palm oil and the middle or center section is stained a dark brown and is highly patinated.
-
A fertility doll is composed of a head with a highly-stylized coiffure, a naturalistic face, a long neck, and a long torso ending in a flared bottom. The torso has arms and hands, small breasts, and an umbilicus. The doll is stained, worn, patinated, and mounted on a custom base.
-
Rare soft mask in the form of a fowl head including a comb beak, etc. The mask is made of course fabric, is covered with multi-colored small beads, and has a neck/collar made of feathers. There are strips of fabric used for fastening the mask.
-
Long narrow mask with a long thin nose, simple round eyes, and an open mouth. The lower portion of the mask which is beveled includes the mouth. The entire mask is coated with a mixture of kaolin and palm oil.
-
Figural fly whisk consisting of a seated female terminal, a handle wrapped with copper wire and organic material, and an animal fur whisk. The terminal is a well-carved seated female with a traditional coiffure, natural facial features, long pointed breasts, and abdominal scarification.
-
The small figure is seated on the edge of a small mask. The figure has an ornate coiffure and a belt. The figure which is probably used in divination is stained and highly patinated and is mounted on a dome-shaped base affixed to a custom base.
-
Face mask of flat form with a long flat nose, rectangle-shaped eyes, and a large open mouth showing carved teeth. A triangle area on the forehead is painted red and the rest of the mask is painted with kaolin and is decorated with red and black X marks.
-
The initiation mask is known as "mambela" with triangle-shaped eyes, forward carved ears, a large nose, an open mouth, and a prominent chin/jaw. The mask which is derived from and related to the Lega tribe is coated with a mixture of kaolin and palm oil and shows scarification on the forehead and nose. Also, there are areas of wear and abrasion on the nose, forehead, and chin.
-
A large, carve chameleon with a large head and the large, curled tail is used in ritual ceremonies. The head shows concentric circles with an eye in the middle and two nostril holes. The body and the tail are covered with small holes or perforations. The object is stained and patinated.
-
A standing fetish figure is known as "biteke." The figure has a large hat, a beard, and incised vertical facial scarification. There are no visible arms and the body is wrapped with a fetish bundle consisting of fetish or magical material. The body and hat are stained and patinated.
-
A small caryatid fetish figure holds an altar. The figure has a large head closed eyes figure-eight shaped mouth and a beard. The body shows small breasts, a distended abdomen, and short legs. The body is partially wrapped with a heavy cord as well as a string that holds two beads and shows areas of a tarlike resin.
-
A long, thin fetish object is composed of three heads and partial bodies. The faces on the heads are well-carved and the object comes to a point; it is stained and highly patinated.
-
A fetish figure with upswept coiffure showing a hole for fetish materials, diamond-shaped eyes, and a large open mouth showing teeth, as well as a long-pointed jaw. The body shows arms and hands held against a distended abdomen with a prominent umbilicus, a reptile in skirt held on with a cord, which also contains a small wood cylinder, and short legs with very large feet standing on a mound-like base. The figure is stained and patinated.
-
A figure with a large head circular ears, protruding eyes, a large prominent umbilicus, and short legs. The figure is coated with an encrusted surface and appears quite old.
-
A standing female figure with ornate, carved coiffure shows atop-hole for fetish material. This beautiful well-carved face shows raised scarification on the forehead, temples, and lower face. An encrusted cord circles the neck. The body has a long torso and short legs; breasts and genitalia are prominent. The object is carved from hardwood, is stained, and is highly patinated.
-
A thumb piano has a rectangular form known as "sanza" with iron keys and numerous iron and aluminum inserts on the face. Piano shows tar and resin repairs along sides and incised designs on both front and back.
-
A divination object is in the form of a head and long torso. The head shows a small cap, a heart-shaped face, protruding eyes, and a wide-open mouth. The carved torso shows breasts and prominent umbilicus and ends in a knob-like protrusion. The figure is coated with palm oil and kaolin.
-
A standing female figure is with a long, pointed head, broad face,small ears, protruding eyes, and a thick neck. The body, which shows breasts and female genitalia, is of normal proportions. The entire figure is covered with vertical, incised grooves and a dull encrusted patina; there are traces of white kaolin. The figure is mounted on a custom base.
-
A round, deep mask with simple round eyes, a triangle-shaped mouth, and a large bulbous nose that extends over the mouth. The upper part of the mask has a light brown surface and the lower part has a darker brown-black surface with a pattern of red and white color dots.
-
An unusual, stylized face mask with ears mounted on the forehead, a wide flat nose, angular slit-eyes, an open mouth showing carved teeth, and incised scarification on the brow and nose. The mask is patinated and coated with brown paint and shows an area of kaolin and palm oil around the eyes, as well as splotches all over.
-
A "lukasa" divination and memory board surmounted by two well-carved heads with ornate coiffures and strong typical facial features. The board which has a border that incised designs shows a large raised "kifwebe" mask surrounded by numerous raised objects including a house, a tree chicken, tools, a sun, stars and a bow and arrows. The entire board is stained brown and shows a lot of wear.
-
Heddle pulleys were used on a narrow-stripped loom to aid in the separation of threads while weaving. What is interesting about the heddle pulleys is their variety of designs. Several have figures carved above the pulley such as animals, human masks, and abstract designs. This artistic characteristic is purely for aesthetics as they have no effect on the functionality of the pulley, which reiterates how important visual design was to the African culture. Progress of human imagination. This shows a progression towards imagination and abstraction.
-
Heddle pulleys were used on a narrow stripped loom to aid in the separation of threads while weaving. What is interesting about the heddle pulleys is their variety of designs. Several have figures carved above the pulley such as animals, human masks, and abstract designs. This artistic characteristic is purely for aesthetics as they have no effect on the functionality of the pulley, which reiterates how important visual design was to the African culture. This pulley has a wide top with ridges on the outer rim. This shows a progression towards imagination and abstraction.
-
Heddle pulleys were used on a narrow stripped loom to aid in the separation of threads while weaving. What is interesting about the heddle pulleys is their variety of designs. Several have figures carved above the pulley such as animals, human masks, and abstract designs. This artistic characteristic is purely for aesthetics as they have no effect on the functionality of the pulley, which reiterates how important visual design was to the African culture. Hornbill birds are a common theme among Senufo pulleys. The hornbill is characterized by its long and narrow bill. To the Senufo, hornbills are linked to the creation of the world. In addition to this, they show a strong dedication to raising their chicks, which become an appropriate metaphor for those in the community.
-
Headrests were used in the African culture to support the head and protect intricate hairstyles during sleep. While these hairstyles were considered an image of beauty, they also revealed someone's rank and social identity in the community. In other parts of Africa, headrests are associated with dreams and divination, but in Eastern Africa, they are solely used for functional purposes. The Kambata headrests are carved with patterns such as chevrons and bands of straight lines.
