Bead

West African, African

20th century

  • Titles Bead (Descriptive)
  • Medium cast brass, metal
  • Dimensions 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. Diam. (1.9 x 3.8 cm)
  • Credit Line Gift of Drs. Noble and Jean Endicott, 1990.225.1
  • Work Type bead
  • Classification Objects

See More of the Collection

Face mask with rabbit features. Narrow vertical oval ears painted red with white interiors; protruding conical black eyes surrounded by concentric black rings with white pigment in-between; protruding open triangular mouth/snout, painted black, adorned with small incised triangles painted white and red. Oval perimeter of back of mask pierced with multiple holes to enable attachment of mask to dancer's head as well as attachment of fiber costume. This type of mask is worn by men during funeral or initiation ceremonies. Animal masks commemorate encounters that people have had with ancestors who appeared in the form of an animal.
Round, brownish, footed vessel has cut-in lid with knob in form of modeled human head. Entire vessel and lid covered with raised knobs and whitish pigment.
Collar or Necklace, Fingo people, Eastern Cape, South Africa, South Africa, African, glass beads, buttons, thread
Standing Figure, Temne people, African, wood, glass beads, British West Africa halfpenny coin and cord