Object class: Carvings (visual works) / Culture or time period: Bantu (Zone H) - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Object class Carvings (visual works) Culture or time period Bantu (Zone H)

Hearst Museum object titled Fetish, accession number 5-1551, described as Carved wooden figurine by child of a Suku Mukisi (fetish), feathered top. Made in imitation of real thing. Was used in a play. CHECK

Hearst Museum object titled Figure, accession number 5-14158, described as figure; seated woman on base which has 4 encircling bands; 1 piece of carved bone; back of figure is uncarved, front is heavily patinated; entire piece is stained dark reddish brown and has high polish; h. 23.7 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Grass comb, accession number 5-1589, described as Suku comb, wooden, twined handle; length: 6.75" 17.15 cm, width: 3.25" 8.21cm Now made under acculturative influence of Eastern tribes (Ba Pende, Baluba, etc) This shape is recent, and making this comb has been learned from the eastern neighbors thru contacts at administrative posts. It was not made "traditionally", that is, before European occupation. Collected from E. Suku, in Feshi post. Made by young man ca. 20-25 years old. Traditionally combs were made of wood (carved); these are not made anymore. Another type of comb which has come widely into use and apparently was also used traditionally is a simple piece of flat wood with nails hammered through it.

Hearst Museum object titled Head scratcher, accession number 5-1568, described as Wooden Suku head scratcher, figurine-handle; Western Suku. Length 13.94 cm. Figure is that of a monkey. Carved by same man as 5-1556.

Hearst Museum object titled Wooden adze handle with carved head and attached metal blade, accession number 5-1598a,b, described as Suku hafted decorative adze--Kandu; a) handle 13 1/2” length. b) blade 7” length.

Hearst Museum object titled Wooden adze handle with carved, painted head and metal blade, accession number 5-1596a,b, described as Suku hafted axe--Mungembu; a) handle 15 1/4” length, b) blade 16 1/2” length

Hearst Museum object titled Wooden figure, accession number 5-1555, described as Carved wooden figurine, Northeast Suku “fetish;” Koshi. Height 35.53 cm. Carved by same man as 5-1553. Contemporary. The figurine is part of the paraphernalia of mukisi (kisungu). Koshi, which is associated with the following diseases: boils, convulsions, strong fevers, headaches, emciation (and kwashiorkor in children), and being struck by lightning.

Hearst Museum object titled Wooden figure and stick, accession number 5-1550a,b, described as Suku Ngombu figurine with stick. (a) Figurine. Height 45.69 cm. (b) Stick. Length 34.25 cm. Figurine belongs to diviners. Stick used to tap the figurine in the manner of a “talking drum” during divination. N.E. Suku of Congo. Carver is from Secteur Pay, Territoire Masi-Manimba. Carver ca. 50 years old [as of ca 1960]. Item is not viewed as “splendid carving” by Suku. Figurine is used as “talking drum” during divination; it is struck with the stick. The set is part of the paraphernalia of the “mukisi” Ngombu, which is the medicine (”kisumgu”: lineage medicine) which, when is “seizes/attacks” a person, makes him into a diviner.