Collection place: Central Africa / Culture or time period: Bantu (Zone C) / Accession number: Acc.4288 - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Collection place Central Africa Culture or time period Bantu (Zone C) Accession number Acc.4288

Hearst Museum object titled Axe, accession number 5-15401, described as Axe, steel; blade tapering down to square shank; shank inserted into tree branch at approximately 45º downward angle; handle well patinated, series of shallow holes forming geometric design; initials "KLI" incised near blade end; two "feet" left on handle either as mechanism for hanging axe on belt or for decoration; length of handle 43.7 cm; length of exposed blade 13.0 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Gong, accession number 5-15397, described as Slit gong, wood, hand carved from solid tree limb, round, well-patinated; finial/stylized carved human head at top; lower two thirds hollowed out. Length 36.9 cm. Diameter (at base) 8.5 cm. Used by a diviner to announce his entry into a village.

Hearst Museum object titled Mask, accession number 5-15394, described as Helmet mask; wood; one piece, carved from solid block; unpainted; stylized pointed forehead; raised conical shaped eyes surrounded by holes; raised conical shaped mouth; stylized ears; stylized symbolic helmet; geometric incised designs throughout; holes drilled around edges for attachment of hood; length 41 cm, width 18.5 cm (at base)

Hearst Museum object titled Painted wooden mask, accession number 5-15396, described as Handle mask, wood, one piece, hand carved from solid block; slit eyes with incised eyebrows, with upward turning elongated nose; painted white face; raised ears and mouth with teeth, painted blue; extended chin serving as handle for mask; holes along edges for attachment of fibers. Length 25.1 cm. Width 16.2 cm. “Handle mask worn by initiates in front of the face as part of raphia costume. Traditional variations in the form and decoration... indicated to which of the three grades within the initiation group the weared belonged.”

Hearst Museum object titled Stool (seating furniture), accession number 5-15400, described as Headrest, double, wood, handcarved. Gently curving double neck support, incised geometric design on top, supported by 4 columns, also with incised design, resting on elliptical base. Length 43.7 centimeters, height 12.8 centimeters. From Central Africa, Zaire, Southwest Congo, Kuba.

Hearst Museum object titled Wooden carved mask, accession number 5-15395, described as Mask, wood, one piece, hand carved from solid block; triangular face with raised eyebrows and scarification (?) raised on forehead and cheeks; upturned nose and protruding lips with carved teeth; holes drilled around all edges for attachment of raffia hair. Length 23.4 cm. Width 18.4 cm. “Wooden masks (mbuya) of various types are worn in dances when the young men return to the village after circumcision in the initiation schools.”