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AFRICAN

Collection Info
Carved wooden figure of abstracted male antelope with two horns, curled tail, metal ring on neck, incised head and body; carinated, bent legs; elliptical ear pierced with yellow tassels, one ear missing, tassel in nose; basketry base with cords attached.

The Harn Museum’s African Collection includes works that illuminate the diversity and historical depth of Sub-Saharan African art. The Harn collection is distinctive in the strength of its holdings that include a broad range of geographic regions, media and historical periods, ranging from the 5th century BCE to the 21st century. A diverse array of media are represented, including wood sculpture, textiles, ceramics, leatherwork, beadwork, metalwork, and painting. Wooden sculpture, primarily masks and figures are an early and important part of the collection. The collection has representative objects from many ethnic groups within West, Central, South and East Africa, with particular focus on West African Art.

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Handcrafted knife and ornate leather sheath. The knife features a dark handle and tapered metal blade. The sheath has a woven geometric grip, long leather fringe, and decorative patterns.
Tuareg Artist
20th century
Large rectangular textile featuring vertical cream-colored strips. It is adorned with rows of intricate, symmetrical geometric patterns in black, brown, and red, arranged in a structured, repeating grid across the fabric.
Fulani Artist
undated
Hand-carved wooden stool with a curved, crescent-shaped seat. The base features intricate openwork geometric carvings, including diamond patterns and zig-zag edges, supported by a flat rectangular plinth.
Akan Artist
undated
Wooden mask of abstracted crow, with open beak, horns, ears, and protruding, round eyes. It is rendered in red, white, and black pigments.
Mambila Artist
undated
Mask with long pointed snout, large inset glass eyes, surmounted face with carved linear coiffure and four diminutive figures with spiraling loop at the back, shells, fiber and patina.
Igbo Artist
undated
Elongated beige wooden mask with dark outlines around the eyes, an open mouth with visible teeth, and a knobbed coiffure. Details are rendered in black.
Igbo Artist
20th century
Elongated wooden mask with a white face and dark geometric carvings on the cheeks and forehead. It has an elaborate carved coiffure, four combs in the hair, and a prominent, curved crest rising from the center of the hair.
Igbo Artist
20th century
Figure seated on a stool, holding knife and head, with scarifications, surmounted by a tall projection with heads and birds and with pigments
Igbo Artist
20th century
Stylized upright figure with arms at side and upraised palms, featuring abdomen scarifications, and carved coiffure and a plaited and crested coiffure.
Ubah of Isufoia
Early 20th Century
Figure with upraised palms, carved coiffure, pigments, and skirt with cowry shell fringe.
Ubah of Isufoia
undated
Stylized upright figure with arms at side and upraised palms, featuring facial scarifications, and a crested coiffure, and a necklace of teeth.
Ubah of Isufoia
Early 20th Century
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