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Start Over You searched for: Collection Joseph A. Towles Artifact Collection ✖Remove constraint Collection: Joseph A. Towles Artifact Collection Date 1951 ✖Remove constraint Date: 1951 Subject (Geographic) Africa, Africa, Sub-Saharan, Africa, Central, Congo (Democratic Republic) ✖Remove constraint Subject (Geographic): Africa, Africa, Sub-Saharan, Africa, Central, Congo (Democratic Republic)

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1. Ivory flower vase

Ivory flower vase
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory flower vase with human head, very stylized hair, made for hotel use; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

2. Ivory shoehorn

Ivory shoehorn
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory replica of a European shoehorn; profile of a woman with sculptured hair, black holes for eyes; torso resembles woman wearing a dress in the shape of a shoehorn; origin Mangbetu people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

3. Ivory toothpicks and holder

Ivory toothpicks and holder
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory toothpick holder with 10 ivory toothpicks, made for hotels; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

4. Ivory trilogy figures

Ivory trilogy figures
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory figures depicting the Three Wise Monkeys motif ("See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil"); origin Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

5. Bobblehead dog

Bobblehead dog
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Plastic mechanical "bobblehead" dog, tail and head move, made for hotel use; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

6. Ivory ornamental head

Ivory ornamental head
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory stylized Mangbetu head, poised upwards; origin Mangbetu people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

7. Ivory napkin ring

Ivory napkin ring
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory tooth or tusk carved into an ornate ring with a circle and dot motif; resembles a napkin ring; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

8. Ivory salt spoon

Ivory salt spoon
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory salt spoon, made for hotels; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

9. Ivory ornamental face mask

Ivory ornamental face mask
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ornamental face mask with open eyes, carved hair, and a string through the holes at top; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

10. Ivory knife rest

Ivory knife rest
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory knife rest with an elephant design, made for hotel use; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

11. Ivory shell

Ivory shell
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory replica of a snail shell, seven holes indicate that it may have come unglued from another piece; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

12. Ivory blade

Ivory blade
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Ivory blade with handle of a very well-carved Mangbetu-style woman's head.

13. Ivory toothpicks and holder

Ivory toothpicks and holder
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory toothpick holder with 10 ivory toothpicks, made for hotels, carved design on toothpicks; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

14. Ivory ornamental head

Ivory ornamental head
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory human head; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

15. Smoked ivory ornamental face mask

Smoked ivory ornamental face mask
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Smoked ivory ornamental face mask, openings for eyes, mouth has slight opening, showing teeth, crown on head; origin Epulu (Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire), but is a replica of masks created by the Pende people (also of DRC).

16. Ivory head

Ivory head
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory head used in Pende boys' initiation; two holes in each to attach to a string; they were worn as arm decorations; dark ivory head.

17. Ivory head

Ivory head
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory head used in Pende boys' initiation; two holes in each to attach to a string; they were worn as arm decorations.

18. Ivory head

Ivory head
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory head used in Pende boys' initiation; two holes in each to attach to a string; they were worn as arm decorations.

19. Winnowing basket

Winnowing basket
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Circular winnowing basket; tightly woven, wrapped loop attached to rim and below rim is one solid piece of bamboo for stability; origin Mbo people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

20. Ivory drummer carving

Ivory drummer carving
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory drummer with elongated head; hair, drum, and base are etched; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

21. Ivory crocodile carving

Ivory crocodile carving
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory crocodile with carved teeth; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

22. Ivory lion carving

Ivory lion carving
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory lion; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

23. Fire stick

Fire stick
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Base of a fire stick with four holes in it, broken at one end; origin Mbo people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

24. Fire stick

Fire stick
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Wooden stick with one end carved in a circular design; part of a fire stick, very smooth; origin Ituri rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

25. Domestic knife

Domestic knife
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Domestic knife with wooden handle; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mbo people.

26. Ivory flower vase

Ivory flower vase
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory flower vase with human face on one side and lion on the other, made for hotel use; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

27. Harp

Harp
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Five string harp with wooden arm and base, skin covering, strings still attached; origin Bira people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

28. Ceremonial knife

Ceremonial knife
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Ceremonial knife used in a wedding exchange; curved metal blade with three holes, wooden handle with decorative metal wrap near the blade; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), Mangbetu people.

29. Winnowing basket

Winnowing basket
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Winnowing basket; origin Mbo people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

30. Table ornament

Table ornament
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory table ornament in two pieces, flying bird design, made for use in hotels; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

31. Ivory menu holder

Ivory menu holder
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory menu holder, flying bird design, made for use in hotels; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

32. Ivory menu holder

Ivory menu holder
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory menu holder, flying bird design, made for use in hotels; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

33. Patterned wooden comb

Patterned wooden comb
Date:
1951 and 1979
Description:
Wooden comb with carved pattern on both sides and a hole in the handle; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mbo people.

34. Ivory menu holder

Ivory menu holder
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory menu holder made for use in hotels; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

35. Decorative elephant tusk

Decorative elephant tusk
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Very decorative carved elephant tusk with interconnected human and animal motifs, lions, elephant, alligator, antelope, and human; origin Ituri forest.

36. Decorative elephant tusk

Decorative elephant tusk
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Very decorative carved elephant tusk with interconnected human and animal motifs, lions, elephant, alligator, antelope, and human; origin Ituri forest.

37. Ivory ornamental face mask

Ivory ornamental face mask
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ornamental face mask with elongated nose, carved headpiece, closed eyes, and a string through the holes at top; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

38. Domestic knife

Domestic knife
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Domestic knife with decorated wooden handle; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mbo people.

39. Ivory candlesticks

Ivory candlesticks
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Four ivory candlesticks, made for hotels; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

40. Ivory head

Ivory head
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory head used in Pende boys' initiation; two holes in each to attach to a string; they were worn as arm decorations; white ivory head.

41. Ivory ornamental face mask

Ivory ornamental face mask
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ornamental face mask with carved headpiece, closed eyes, and a string through the holes at top; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

42. Ivory ornamental face mask

Ivory ornamental face mask
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ornamental face mask with open eyes, carved hair, and a string through the holes at top; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

43. Wooden pestle

Wooden pestle
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Wooden pestle with flat top, rounded base, and design around the center; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mbo people.

44. Ivory drummer carving

Ivory drummer carving
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory model of an Mbuti hunter, holes in each hand for two spears, holes for eyes, carved hair and garment; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

45. Ivory elephant carving

Ivory elephant carving
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory elephant with holes for eyes; tusks broken; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

46. Bush knife

Bush knife
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Bush knife with machete-shaped blade and wooden handle wrapped in thin strips of metal; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mbo people.

47. Domestic knife

Domestic knife
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Domestic knife with decorated wood handle and metal blade, still sharp; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mbo people.

48. Bush knife

Bush knife
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Bush knife with machete-shaped blade and wooden handle with some decoration; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mbo people.

49. Bush knife

Bush knife
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Bush knife with a wooden handle and no decoration, blade in the shape of a small machete; origin Mbo people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

50. Ivory butter knife

Ivory butter knife
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory replicas of European knives; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

51. Ivory elephant carving

Ivory elephant carving
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory elephant with holes for eyes, origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

52. Ivory crocodile carving

Ivory crocodile carving
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory crocodile eating an antelope; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

53. Wooden pestle

Wooden pestle
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Wooden pestle with some black stain; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mbo people.

54. Wooden slit gong

Wooden slit gong
Date:
1951 and 1979
Description:
Wooden slit gong with design carved on top; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bira people. Initials "KO KO" burned into one side.

55. Ivory figure

Ivory figure
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory figure of a man in bark cloth; he appears to be holding something in his right hand; origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

56. Trumpet

Trumpet
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Wooden side-blown trumpet bound with band of crocodile skin, small hole for hanging; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mbo people.

57. Dipping Spoon

Dipping Spoon
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Wooden dipping spoon with short handle and wide bowl, contains hole for hanging; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mbo people.

58. Wooden pestle

Wooden pestle
Date:
1951 and 1971
Description:
Wooden pestle in the shape of a two-pronged fork, used by the Mbo people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but most likely Nandi in origin.

59. Rectangular wooden gong

Rectangular wooden gong
Date:
1951 and 1979
Description:
Rectangular gong; two pieces of wood fastened together with a glue-like substance; opening on one side, wood bows out on front and back, and top and bottom edges are jagged; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mbo people.

60. Whistle

Whistle
Date:
1951
Description:
Whistle made of wood with a metal ring on one end and wax or gum stuck to the outside of the wood; appears to be in the shape of an animal on one end.

61. Ivory elephant carving

Ivory elephant carving
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory elephant, origin eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

62. Ivory woman figure

Ivory woman figure
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory figure of a woman wearing a skirt.

63. Ivory buttons

Ivory buttons
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Four bullet-shaped wooden buttons with carved faces; four holes in each to attach to garment; origin Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

64. Ivory buttons

Ivory buttons
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Two bullet-shaped ivory buttons with carved faces; four holes in each to attach to garment; origin Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

65. Domestic knife

Domestic knife
Date:
1951
Description:
Women's domestic knife with wooden handle; origin Mbo people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

66. Domestic knife

Domestic knife
Date:
1951
Description:
Women's domestic knife; metal spiraled around wooden handle; metal blade is machete-shaped; origin Mbo people of the Ituri rainforest.

67. Knife with bone handle

Knife with bone handle
Date:
1951
Description:
Knife with bone handle and metal blade; origin Ituri rainforest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

68. Ivory head

Ivory head
Date:
1951 and 1989
Description:
Ivory head used in Pende boys' initiation; two holes in each to attach to a string; they were worn as arm decorations.

69. Hunting whistle

Hunting whistle
Date:
1951
Description:
Wooden hunting whistle bound with twine; origin Mbuti people of the Ituri rainforest.