top decorated with symmetrical design with scrolling edges; some cutouts in various shapes (teardrops, circles, quatrefoil, bar) inlaid with gold stamped with repeating circular patterns on front and back of comb; tapering teeth — Hair comb, about 1800
Swahili

G254

Basket woven with plant fiber and heavily beaded with black, white, orange, blue and red beads. Flared stem base with cone-shaped lid. Two straps cross over the top and are secured at sides. — Basket, early 20th century
Unknown

G254

rounded head with thin coat of dark slip; friendly features with eyes mostly open, broad nose, wide open, smiling mouth, and prominent chin; eyebrows and chin adorned with human hair attached with wax; holes around base of neck — Mask, 1960s
Makonde

G254

wooden, with round top that has scalloped edges, and curved, divided sections in white, red and black pigments with scattered round holes; two thin pieces of wood at bottom of round section that connects a triangular shape with black, white and red pigments; curved ridge at top of triangle (headpiece) on back; two metal mending plates on each thin wood piece on back side — Mask, 1930-1940
Nafana

G250

wood slit drum- "V" designs carved along edges of sides; diamond design at end of slit; four curved legs; barrel shape extensions on ends — Slit gong, about 1940
Lobala

G254

strands of red and black beads attached to central bars of cloth-covered metal with ties; rigid, arcing thread-covered bar with bead strands between (white, black and red) on back; pouch-like bottom element in front of brown cloth with black, red and white beaded strands with some highlighting blue beads; tassel of blue, black and red beads on back; cowrie shell at front top of "pouch" — Man's corset, about 1970
Dinka

G254

capelette/shoulder covering made of strands of beads--red, blue and white--in loops from center to shoulders, front and back; shoulder pieces (reinforced with metal) with openwork thread and bead designs in black, blue, white and green beads with cowrie shells; hanging bead strands of red, dark blue and light blue beads at shoulders; central ornament on each side with blue and red bead strands, stuffed cotton cloth roll and iron loops — Woman's vest, c. 1970
Dinka

Not on View

dark brown; rectangular block above face containing metal floral nail in center surrounded by four smaller, plain metal nails; three similar plain nails on face; three rounded elements on each side of head--hair; horizontal stripes on face on either side of nose; vertical stripes carved over temples on forehead; protruding lips — Do mask, second quarter of 20th century
Ligbi

G242

ten strips sewn together; alternating strips of solid purple and blue and white gingham woven with purple geometric designs including bars, squares, diamonds and arrows; backed with white netting — Woman's wrapper, late 19th century
Yoruba

G240

two-sided wooden shield; one side has concentric linear pattern with brown and red alternating triangular shapes lining sections alternating a negative space of white pigment; tiny hole in center with a wooden arm shield at one end; the other side has mostly white pigment with two rows of lines with triangle patterns on one end in red pigment; thin dark line in between triangle rows; thin red line intersects with triangle lines, outlining a center hole; dark wooden border around outer perimeter — Carved wooden dance shield (ndomi), mid 20th century
Kikuyu

G250

seated figure on a raised dais; figures depicted with raised arms, holding up the top part of the dais on right, left and back sides; seated figure holds disk shape in PR hand, and hollow staff in PL hand; figure wears necklace made out of shells; textured, mud-like substance coats surface throughout — Figure, mid 20th century
Igala (?)

G250

seated figure with legs bent and crossed one on top of the other; PL hand on hip, with elbow bent; very long PR arm with elbow on knee and chin resting on hand; slightly smiling face; large, high-set ears; figure wears a hat with protrusions on top and incised cross-hatched diamonds around edges; stone has tan patina; affixed to bronze-colored metal base — "Ntadi" figure, 19th century
Kongo

G250

vertical carved figural sculpture with slight lean in posture; rounded head with collar-like ring around neck; PR arm longer than PL arm; knot in wood in torso where bellybutton would be; slight platform around bottom; affixed to black metal stand through bottom — Figure, 1900-1950
Moba

G250

full head form with small wide facial features; pointed chin; small ears; elaborate crown with round mirrors on four sides; cross form at top of crown; lobes on four elements on crown; geometric incised patterns in hair, with short braided ponytail at back of head; cowrie shell tied with cord around top of crown; dark wood patina — Mask, first half of 20th century
Mende

G254

heavy face mask with six pairs of tusk-like elements extending across face; very wide nose; open cylindrical shaped element on each cheek; coffee bean shaped eyes; pair of protruding animal-like ears; mouth has a pair of lower protruding fangs with red pigment inside mouth; beard of hair and fur; three metal bells hang from chin; dark patina; studded overall with brass nailheads — Mask, 1940s
Wee

G250

four pairs of nude caryatid figures with upraised arms and bent knees, supporting thick seat; figures have tall hairstyles and large bellies; vertical support column at center; thick base; dark finish — Stool, 16th-17th century
Dogon

G250

long sleeves; bell-shaped hemline; tan ground fabric; dark blue rectangular patches on sleeves, two on front, two on back, and one on each side; tan and brown organic shaped patches on sleeve hems and sides of body; organically-shaped pocket on each side of grey, tan and brown fabric embroidered in tan and yellow with curvilinear forms — Army tunic, about 1890
Unknown Mahdist

Not on View

standing stylized figure with pointed beard; triangular-shaped ears; pair of very tall horns with spirals at top; face has deeply-incised geometric patterns--without facial features; deeply carved oval element with horizontal band on chest; figure wears short skirt-like garment; figure stands on round platform with four curving legs and one vertical central leg; some possible scattered bits of red and white pigments — Ikenga Figure, first half of 20th century
Igbo

Not on View

headdress with crown-like top section with three "ears" at top; silver beads around crown; two hanging wedge-shaped pendants covered overall with silver faceted metal beads; hide section with some fur attached to ends; encrusted overall with thick reddish pigment accretions — Woman's headdress, first half 20th century
Himba

Not on View

large vessel with rounded base; flaring outward to pointed shoulder and inward to slightly raised mouth rim; shades of mottled black and grey; three red-orange semicircles above shoulder — Beer pot, mid 20th century
Nyakyusa

Not on View

rectangular panel on woven base; small drum at center surrounded by vertically-placed small animal skulls; four small possibly primate skulls around top edge of drum; large long-handled spoon below drum; plant fibers bundled into a whisk at top; two largest skulls from animals with long snouts at top corners; 28 skulls of various types and sizes around edge of panel, all facing inward; two jawbones at left center, one jawbone at right center; covered overall with burnt black patina; NOTE: proper configuration of piece is horizontally with the spoon at the top and the whisk at the bottom--description and condition report written with the piece upside down, with the spoon at the bottom — Emblem panel, mid 20th century
Ejagham

Not on View

small round shield made of hardened leather; convex central area; handle on back; exterior decorated with stamped concentric circles with stippling in circles and group of three bars; interior undecorated; loop of cord tied around handle; golden brown patina — Shield, mid 20th century
Somalia

Not on View

three looped chains attached to ring on base of oval platform with hook on other side; an umbrella on a post sits between two cannons on platform, both with two front wheels; four, flat circulars pieces hang from rings around platform on looped chains (two single chains and a set of two) — Bracelet with cannon and umbrella ornaments and coin pendants, late 19th century
Fon

Not on View

beaded collar with blue and black beads; central cloth covered vertical element, stiffened with metal; leather ties at front; back curved metal element, covered with thread, with white and yellow bead strands between metal pieces; crescent-shaped bone pendant at back bottom, embellished with circular carved designs and aluminum and copper metal rings — Woman's neckpiece, c. 1950
Dinka

Not on View

standing female figure with knees bent, holding a large vessel on top of her head; chains and beaded strings surround woman's body, with large cone-shaped beads forming a long skirt and padlocks and keys covering her torso; brown patina overall from soil encrustations and rust; vessel on figure's head has some bits of red, white, black and printed fabrics, metal ornaments and bird feather and/or hair or fur; attached to black mount — Vodun power figure, mid 20th century
Ewe

Not on View

Bracelet with bird and snake ornament and coin pendants, late 19th century

Fon

Not on View

three looped chains attached to ring on base of curved platform with hook on other side; four legged animal with pointed ears stands on platform with tail curled over back, facing front right; patterning and details carved on animal and on top of platform; nine 50 centimes coins hanging from wires around platform on looped chains (one set of four, one set of three, one set of two with one empty chain link); all coins have a figure surrounded by text on one side and a branch of leaves with text on the other — Bracelet with animal ornament and coin pendants, late 19th century
Fon

Not on View

three looped chains attached to ring on base of curved platform and hooked to ring on other side; four legged animal with pointed ears stands on platform with tail curled over back, facing front left; patterning and details carved on animal and on top of platform; 10 50 centimes coins hanging from wires around platform on looped chains (one set of four and two sets of three); all coins have a figure surrounded by text on one side and a branch of leaves with text on the other — Bracelet with animal ornament and coin pendants, late 19th century
Fon

Not on View

four looped chains attached to ring on base of oval platform with hook on other side; cannon sits on platform with two front wheels and a base/cart with line of holes; nine 50 centimes coins hanging from rings around platform on looped chains (one set of two with two empty chains, one set of four, one set of three with one empty chain); all coins have a figure surrounded by text on one side and a branch of leaves with text on the other — Bracelet with cannon ornament and coin pendants, late 19th century
Fon

Not on View

decorative cylinder with tapered ends; looped chain attaced to rings on either end of centerpiece; 2 spherical beads strung through chain; 10 French 50 centimes coins hanging from centerpiece on linked chains; all coins have a figure surrounded by text on one side and a branch of leaves with text on the other — Necklace with cylinderical ornament and coin pendants, late 19th century
Fon

Not on View

Necklace with goat ornament and coin pendants, late 19th century

Fon

Not on View

hourglass shaped centerpiece, wrapped in twisted trim, with six pieces coming out of top (two flats, two tubes, one stick, one stick with handle); two hollow side pieces also wrapped in twisted trim, with long necks and bulbous bases attached by post through top of centerpiece (one can swing freely, one is attached to center of centerpiece by wire); double strand, looped chain is attached at ends of post — Necklace with pendant, late 19th century
Fon

Not on View

circular bangle with 19 coins, each attached by two oval chain links to a piece of twisted wire at middle of bracelet; coins are French 50 centimes pieces with a figure surrounded by text on one side and a branch of leaves with text on the other — Bracelet with coin pendants, late 19th century
Fon

Not on View

circular bangle with 22 coins, each attached by two circular chain links to a piece of twist wire at middle of bracelet; coins are French 50 centimes pieces with a figure surrounded by text on one side and a branch of leaves with text on the other — Bracelet with coin pendants, late 19th century
Fon

Not on View

large poncho-like garment; body of garment made of cream-colored cotton fabric with stitched thin stripes; front center and back center decorated with cream-colored stitched and crocheted openwork designs--circles, grids, repeating triangle bands, spirals, large cross at top of back, floriform designs and S curve designs on back — Robe, 1940s
Songhai

Not on View

roughly rectangular shaped with rounded edges, with long sides tapering slightly toward top; inward curve at bottom edge; two looping curved at top; rounded surface with concave and convex areas; body is light-colored hardened animal hide, with curled-over, darkened edges; three decorative elements with green hide trim, red cloth and metal ornaments (large domed metal studs in two sizes and four pyramidal metal elements)--two roughly hourglass-shaped elements and one triangular element; some incised lines forming a starburst at center; arrow and lines in dark pigment at bottom center; metal handle on back; handle covered in dark brown leather — Shield, late 19th century
Tuareg

Not on View

two-sided woven shield with tan wicker backing; dark brown wood border along outer edge; three vertical lighter brown strips of wicker in running lengthwise in center; single line of wicker on both right and left edges; slight convex curve in overall shape; wooden carved arm band in center on back — Shield, mid 20th century
Budja

Not on View

two-sided woven shield with checkered pattern in light brown and dark brown weaving; triangle shapes in light brown on either end; long wooden handle on backside; alternating bands of weaving around outer edge — Shield, mid 20th century
Manza

Not on View

small round shield made of hardened leather; convex central area; handle on back; exterior decorated with stamped concentric circles with stippling in circles and group of three bars; interior decorated with concentric circles, incised and highlighted with black and red pigments, with four sets of three radiating lines at center, rows of diamonds inside concentric circles and rectangular motifs with Xs in the center; golden brown patina — Shield, mid 20th century
Somalia

Not on View

rectangular shield coming to a peak in the middle; open weave down long edges; basket-weave on either end of peak, and across shorter edges; rectangular grid pattern with a few rectangles painted red and white — Shield, mid 20th century
Topoke

Not on View

hollow, cylindrical ornament attached at sides to looped chain; six French 50 centimes coins hanging from ornament on linked chains; all coins have a figure surrounded by text on one side and a branch of leaves with text on the other — Necklace with cylinder ornament and coin pendants, late 19th century
Fon

Not on View

small neck opening; pendants in front and back; one long pendant with three strands of silver metal faceted beads and grey, brown and cream shell with horizontal openwork beaded bar above it with silver metal faceted beads and gold metal barrel beads; V shaped section with silver beads above bar; back pendant is wedge-shaped leather with silver and gold faceted beads and two silver metal discs — Woman's necklace, first half 20th century
Himba

Not on View

belt; reddish-brown overall; blue and white beaded designs on each leather end with cross and triangle motifs; rectangular sections of tight rows of silver metal faceted beads separated by bands of white beads; three-stand silver beaded tassels/dangles at either end with brown ovoid nuts or seeds; encrusted with reddish pigment accretions overall — Woman's belt, first half 20th century
Himba

Not on View

rectangular panel; dark brown; overall freeform design in black; starburst shapes with lines, zigzags, and arcs — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

nearly square panel; medium brown with black designs in four quadrants; two quadrants have similar motifs with rectangular grinds surrounded by freeform triangles with parallel lines, stars, and dark bow tie shapes; one quadrant has similar grids place irregularly along two side and arcs made of pairs of curving line in one corner; one quadrant has dark zigzags and triangles with parallel lines — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; golden brown with black designs; hard fold widthwise separating two different design motifs; one area has three concentric circles with radiating triangles, with stars and bowtie shapes; other area has striped triangles and rectangles with lines connecting some forms — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; many open holes/thin areas; medium brown; black designs of lines with freely drawn concentric football forms at center of each line and radiating triangles at each end, with pigments spots/splatters throughout — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; golden brown with black linear designs; various motifs with groups of three parallel lines as background, in regular band, and as part of freeform stepped design; one quadrant has black predominately triangular forms — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; golden brown with grey linear designs with sections of parallel lines rather like fork tines — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; golden brown with dark brown designs; thin lines with parallel curving lines at center; two rounded forms on long sides with stripes of parallel lines; triangular broom-like forms in corners — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; golden brown with black and brown designs; slightly sloping bands of brown or black with uncolored areas at center; three black bands have twist at center — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; cream colored with black designs; lines with arcs between them; dots in curvilinear lines and bordering some solid lines; tight fibers — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; brown with golden brown overall irregular pattern of bands and triangles with parallel lines; star near center — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; yellowish brown; grey designs; freeform curving lines, with two terminating with star or flower shapes; some parallel lines in pairs and one group of three — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; golden brown with dark brown designs; long thin scrolling lines and parallel lines joined with a center band--some with looping C shapes at either side — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; folded in quarters widthwise; medium brown; decorated with freely drawn striped bands, star, circles surrounded by dots, groups of four parallel lines, and roughly triangular brown forms at edges — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; yellowish brown with grey designs; plain bands and bands of alternating solid grey and stripes — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; medium brown; decorated with dark brown designs in four stripes--football shapes--some with dark band around edges and dark centers--stripes, and striped zigzag — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; medium brown with black freeform linear designs of columns with comb-like elements — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; cream colored; black designs; one side has large radiating diamonds with short parallel lines surrounding them; other side has bar of bowtie shapes with parallel lines inside and bar with curving groups of parallel lines — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; tan with black designs; freeform zigzagging lines running lengthwise; triangles and diamonds with parallel lines at long sides and at two corners — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; golden brown with black designs; lengthwise bands of rectangles with parallel lines alternating with conjoined bowtie shapes; these bands alternate with bars with scrolls on ends, decorative scroll motifs, bands with diagonal lines at ends, and scrolls with hook forms — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; medium brown with black designs; three sections--two with only splatters and drips, one with splatters and drips along with larger black dots — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; golden brown with black designs; row of concentric circles with radiating lines at center between short ends; circles are surrounded by straight and arcing parallel lines in various configurations and stars — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

irregular rectangular panel; cream colored; decorated with thin black lines in curving forms with X and star forms, circles with stars and rings on dots, dots parallel to lines, and zigzag in one corner — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

irregular rectangular panel; medium brown with black designs; overall freeform designs with rectangular grids with scrolls at corners, pairs of arcing lines surrounded by dots, sun forms, and circles — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; very light brown with grey overall freeform dots — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

rectangular panel; medium brown with black designs; parallel curving lines, stars, groups of short parallel lines — Barkcloth panel, c. 1930
Mbuti

Not on View

tan hide panel, with fur on edges, and tan fringe and beadwork in C — Apron or back skirt, c. 1950
Yeyi

Not on View

hide pompon at end; metal and hide cord, with fringed beadwork in white, red and turquoise beads — Apron with pompon, c. 1920
Xhosa

Not on View

beaded belt; triangle design in red, orange, blue, and yellow beadwork across center belt area; colored beaded fringe at the bottom — Belt, c. 1960
Surma

Not on View

woven beadwork in blue, green, white, yellow and red beads; rows of cowrie shells woven between beads; leather fringe on back side — Skirt, late 19th century
Nuba

Not on View

POSSIBLE ARSENIC TREATMENT- HANDLING SHOULD BE LIMITED UNTIL CONFIRMATION; rust-colored hide, with cowrie shell edging; pale blue, green and dark blue beads fringed and clustered across the top of apron; conch shell crosses at PR and PL; clusters of wooden beads with thing glass beads hang from C — Apron, c. 1900
Mursi

Not on View

dark brown hide, rectangle shapes in blue and white striped or red and white stripes, in three rows in C — Back skirt, c. 1950
Turkana

Not on View

tan hide; blue and red half-moon shapes in beadwork form a repeating pattern — Back skirt, c. 1925
Mbugwe

Not on View

tan hide skirt; white beading along BC and in C; blue and white striped beaded design at TC; blue and white striped beading at T PR; blue, white and red checkered pattern in beadwork at B PR and B PL — Ceremonial skirt, early 20th century
Iraqw

Not on View

hide belt with glass beadwork; red, green and one blue triangle design, with white triangles alternating in between; linear rainbow pattern at one end of belt — Belt, c. 1950
Maasai

Not on View

tan hide skirt; linear beaded design at bottom in repeating pattern of 'V' shapes — Skirt or cape, c. 1960
Maasai

Not on View

beaded belt; mostly white beads, with red linear designs; rectangles in red, green, blue in C; metal tips along bottom fringed design — Belt, c. 1960
Kamba

Not on View

leather belt with beadwork; small, multi-colored circles in beadwork throughout; beaded bands on T and B of belt; metal buckle — Belt, 1930s-1940s
Kikuyu

Not on View

Shield, early 20th century

Ganda

Not on View

Shield, early 20th century

Nuer

Not on View

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