Browse Items (91 total)

This male figure is posed like a wrestler, with rings around his neck, wrist, waist and ankles. There is an opening at the base of the neck between the shoulder blades for inserting herbal medicines. This hand-made terra cotta has a dark brown…

This human face, probably a female, has accents on the eyelid area, ears and lips using dark brown-black vegetable pigment. On top of the mask is an unusual pair of breast-like forms. The mask is made of carved wood with fine aged encrusted dark…

This mask is used to denote the rank of the owner in Bwani society. The Lega (Warega) people live in a community that governs itself and has various levels of ranking. The mask is made of carved wood with a variegated brown patina and white kaolin.

This royal woman wears a pointed cap and a serene expression. She stands on top of a carved throne stool. The figure shows signs of deterioration. The figure is made from carved wood with a dark rich brown patina with red and white earth pigments and…

Fertility dolls are believed to induce pregnancy and ensure the safe delivery of a child. This doll with a simple, undefined body is made of carved wood with a rich light brown washed patina.

A female reliquary figure sits on top of a box used for storing bones of ancestors, guarding it from undesirable visitors. The box and statue are made of carved wood with a dark red-brown patina. Carved on the outer sides of the box are Ngil society…

Fly whisk features two elephants with their trunks entwined around a tree. The center shaft is missing the blue indigenous fabric for shooing away flies. It is made of carved wood with brown patina and 24K red gold leaf.

This oval mask has simple features with brass tacks. A smaller head on a long neck comes out of the forehead. A handle at the chin is used to hold the mask. There is evidence of extensive use. The mask is carved wood with a dark brown patina and…

This mask of a human face has a bird sitting on his forehead, leaning down with wings outstretched. A pair of animal horns are on either side of the face, and long whiskers descend from the mouth. This is one-of-a-kind bronze created by lost wax…

Diviners (highly respected fortune tellers) use a mouse and a divination pot called a "gbekre" to predict future events.