Divining implements

Museum number:
5-17028a-d
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm210517028a@2dd
Alternate number:
EC-80a-d (temporary number)
Description:
4 carved ivory divining implements, each tapered to a point at one end and rounded or blunt at the other. Each is decorated on one side and undecorated on the other. (A) 8.5cm long x 2.0cm wide, decorated with 3 incised zig-zags from middle toward tapered end, which go from edge to edge. (B) 10.2cm long by 2.2cm wide; decorated with an incised "X and a dot near the tapered end + a single dot 2.5cm from the blunt end. (C) 9.0cm long x 1.9cm wide; decorated with 2 "V"s near the tapered end. (D) 7.7cm long x 1.8cm wide; decorated with 8 single dots and one double dot, randomly placed on the surface, and notches on either side 1.5 cm below the tapered end. Part of the equipment of a man convicted in Southern Province of acting as a witch finder. 1957. Part of outfit: 5-17033 and 5-17034.
Collection place:
Zambia
Collector:
Elizabeth Colson
Materials:
Ivory (material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Carvings (visual works)
Function:
5.0 Use not specified (Ritual, Pageantry, and Recreation)
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Dimensions:
d— width 1.8 centimeters, b— width 2.2 centimeters, a— length 8.5 centimeters, c— length 9 centimeters, b— length 10.5 centimeters, d— length 7.7 centimeters, c— width 1.9 centimeters, and a— width 2 centimeters
Images:
Hearst Museum object titled Divining implements, accession number 5-17028a-d, described as 4 carved ivory divining implements, each tapered to a point at one end and rounded or blunt at the other. Each is decorated on one side and undecorated on the other. (A) 8.5cm long x 2.0cm wide, decorated with 3 incised zig-zags from middle toward tapered end, which go from edge to edge. (B) 10.2cm long by 2.2cm wide; decorated with an incised "X and a dot near the tapered end + a single dot 2.5cm from the blunt end. (C) 9.0cm long x 1.9cm wide; decorated with 2 "V"s near the tapered end. (D) 7.7cm long x 1.8cm wide; decorated with 8 single dots and one double dot, randomly placed on the surface, and notches on either side 1.5 cm below the tapered end. Part of the equipment of a man convicted in Southern Province of acting as a witch finder. 1957. Part of outfit: 5-17033 and 5-17034.

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