Untitled acrylic painting by S.E. Walk of a seated African man holding a long stick in his right hand and wearing a bracelet with a tooth dangling from it on his left. Origin Liberia, but artist is not Liberian.
Wooden head with both animal and human features; mane, tusks, and nose of an animal, ears, mouth, and eyes of a human; geometric design on base, back is plain, soft wood; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Kaolin pipe with a landscape scene molded into the bowl. The scene contains a multi-storied building with an arched entryway and flag flying. Pipe stem is broken. Origin Africa.
Peach-colored "Free Angela" pin depicting Angela Davis, political activist associated with the Black Panther Party for Self Defense that was established in 1966 in Oakland, California. Pin also reads "Free all political prisoners."
Patriotic Civil War token with an anti-slavery message. Face image of the token reads "Liberty and No Slavery 1863" and contains an image of Lady Liberty. Obverse image of the token, depicting crossed United States flags, a shield, a liberty cap on a pike, and a garland of laurel leaves with 13 stars.
Sheath of a kukri, or "Gurkha knife"; made of wood and covered in hide; leather cord attached to top of sheath; lightly pressed design on seamless side; origin Nepal.
Brass teapot with handle; design engraved on lid and around belly of pot; rectangular base with four feet and carved designs; with brass tray that has engraved design; origin Morocco.
Carving of a human and an animal; the shapes are intertwined and a human face is part of the animal figure; origin South Kenya; engraved lettering on front reads "MR KASUMILI IOMASIL FROM_MbEGAM LD bAGAMOYO MAKOMDE."
Pewter slave badge produced for a servant in Charleston, S.C. It was common to counterfeit badges to avoid paying taxes, and this particular one was not issued by the city, but created in the stamped year. The face is stamped "Charleston 1862 Servant #4." Back side contains no markings.
Copper slave badge, square in shape. Face is stamped "Charleston 1840 Servant 1869." 1840 is the year produced and 1869 signifies that it was the 1,869th "servant" badge sold that year.
Wooden dog bell with wooden clapper, cord, and leather strap; bell has pattern on one side; origin Mbo people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Very decorative carved elephant tusk with interconnected human and animal motifs, lions, elephant, alligator, antelope, and human; origin Ituri forest.
Very decorative carved elephant tusk with interconnected human and animal motifs, lions, elephant, alligator, antelope, and human; origin Ituri forest.
Currency in the form of an anklet in high relief. Created with puddle mold method of casting. Origin Ekonda people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Hunting spear for protection against lions; metal handle and blade with four holes, blade and handle attached by a piece of wood, metal wiring wrapped around sections of the handle; origin Nandi people of Kenya.
Front and profile views of a female wooden figure carrying a vessel in each hand. Origin Bena Lulua people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Thick coiled rice fanner made of bulrush fastened with palmetto leaf. Although this is a contemporary basket, it is a very old form; few basketmakers use bulrush today because it is extremely tough to work.
Thick coiled round basket of bulrush fastened with palmetto leaf. Although this is a contemporary basket, it is a very old form; few basketmakers use bulrush today because it is extremely tough to work.
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Three pieces of dark brown cloth stiched together with light brown raffia; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Circular brass soap dish that accompanies a brass bucket (1989.001.076) and has a design engraved on it; several holes on the tray and a raised bowl without decoration; origin Berber people of Morocco.
Wooden face decorated with white paint, straw beard, nose holes; face has white dots, outlined nose and lips with lines in the forehead area; string attached through holes in the back; origin Ndaka people of the Ituri rainforest.
Wooden face decorated with white paint, straw beard, nose holes; face has white dots, outlined nose and lips; carved crown decorated with white strips; string attached through holes in the back; origin Ndaka people of the Ituri rainforest.
Mask used during the performance of tambuan (or tumbuan) dances. It is woven from raffia and and has a beak, cross-hatched crown, circular eyes, and reeds projecting from circular ear rings. Origin Papua New Guinea.
Oblong basket on a pedestal base; predominantly sweetgrass with some rows of pine needle, which are mostly visible from the inside; bottom of basket reads "Henrietta Snype 2006."
A sistrum, rattle-like musical instrument that was sacred in ancient Egypt; rectangular metal object that has pointed forged end; 15 holes with 15 metal rings line the edges; origin Egypt.
Wood carving of a pregnant woman with bulging eyes, hand in mouth, and feet directed sideways, on a stand; shoulders have two lines incised as some type of decoration.
Multiple views of a hinged sweetgrass basket with domed cover, decorated with pine knots and used as a sewing basket. Made with sweetgrass, pine needle, and bulrush sewn with palmetto leaf.
Front and interior views of a miniature basket made of sweetgrass and pine needle sewn with palmetto leaf. Decorative version of a sewing basket with removable lid.
Egg basket made of sweetgrass, bulrush, and pine needle, sewn with palmetto leaf. Cross handle is decorated with pine knots; wall slopes out from flared mouth and in towards bottom.
Smoked ivory ornamental face mask, mouth has five carved pointed teeth; origin Epulu (Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire), but is a replica of masks created by the Dan people of Cote d'Ivoire.
Iron mortar and pestle from Lincolnville, South Carolina. According to Mrs. Gold, a local store owner grew the peanuts, shucked them, and made peanut butter with this mortar and pestle to sell in his store.
Painting of the Ituri rainforest, home of the Mbuti people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), by Anne Eisner Putnam. Heavy oil palette and brush, acrylic possibly used; signed "Anne Eisner", lower right.
Front, interior, and profile views of a multi-colored basket made of sweetgrass, bulrush, and pine needle, sewn with palmetto leaf. Sweetgrass is natural and dyed blue, orange, and red. A wrapped hinge is sewn into the bottom for hanging purposes.
Wooden imitation toy shield with rings painted on front and back; carved with handle on back; handle and piece on front painted black; origin Ituri rainforest.
Yellow, violet, and natural coiled raffia basket; repetitive geometric decorations in natural raffia within violet bands, edge is three rows of tightly woven material, plain underside; origin Uganda.
A children's doll made with two pieces of wood that depict a mother and child wearing raffia skirts. It has yellow beads for earrings. Origin West Africa.
Multiple views of an open-toed infant shoe with characteristics of a sandal made of sweetgrass and pine straw, sewn with palmetto leaf. The bow is made of sweetgrass.
Front and interior views of a sewing basket made of sweetgrass, bulrush, and pine needle, sewn with palmetto leaf. Basket has a double handle and a hinge that attaches the cover to the basket. The cover contains a hole for sewing material, typical of a sewing basket. Unstable, poor condition.
