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This appears to be a modern version of a Tsonga doll. Donor notes state that it belonged to a healer or nsangoma and was for fertility, healing and used in engagement ceremonies for young women.
Child Figure (mwana)
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Foad Seyed Mohammadi

Child Figure (mwana)

Artist Tsonga Artist
Datelate 20th century
Place of originSouth Africa, Africa
MediumCloth, glass beads, buttons, metal beads, wood
Dimensions5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineGift of Norma Canelas Roth and William D. Roth
Object number2006.45.7
Collections
Visual DescriptionThis appears to be a modern version of a Tsonga doll. Donor notes state that it belonged to a healer or nsangoma and was for fertility, healing and used in engagement ceremonies for young women.
Cylindrical core wrapped with strands of beads in registers of red, white and green; top is covered with white, red, blue, yellow and green beads, clumps of beaded strands on either side of top with same colors. Panels of beads encircle base, and rest on a thick ruffled white cloth skirt. Two brown buttons attached to one side, slightly askew.
Doll (nwana)
Tsonga Artist
20th century
Wood cylinder with knob on each end, wrapped with dark blue beads, upper half, and strands of white glass and other beads on lower half, including vertical strands of ostrich shell beads and clear and light green glass beads. Large mother of pearl button in the center; right arm made of strand of alternating light and dark glass beads. Left arm is missing, as are some other beads.
Child Figure (okana kositi)
Ambo Artist
late 19th century
Beaded panels attached to a band of ostrich eggshell beads, with strands of ostrich eggshell beads forming a fringe between beaded strips of black and white beads, Beadwork is attached to a hide apron.
Apron
Yei Artist
20th century
Cylindrical form wrapped with fiber, and hair and long braided strands on top. Glass or plastic bead strands on top and neck (yellow and blue beads) and wood or other brown beads (?) encircling form. Entire form is covered with red ochre
Doll
Ambo Artist, Mwila group
20th century
The Fengu blankets are similiar to those of the Xhosa. This one has the fur trim which the Fengu prefer as well as the older mother-of-pearl buttons. There is also the fine black wool embroidery work and the delicate use of the glass bead-work. The blanket would have been worn partially folded over by about one third the width. The origin is Mazizini.
Man's Blanket (Ingubo)
Zulu Artist
1850-1950
Apron
Apron
Tsonga Artist
late 20th century
Doll representing female figure, conical form formed by glass bottle core, with knob-like head covered with black beads, encircled with 5 beaded rings -- black, white and blue. Beaded strips form arms.
Doll
Ndebele Artist
20th century
Child Figure
Child Figure
Ndebele Artist
c. 1970
Doll representing female figure, conical form formed by wooden core, with knob-like head covered with black beads, encircled with 4 beaded rings - blue, white and green and multicolored. Attachments: 2 beaded rings, 2 goatskin patches; 2 beaded loops.
Doll
Ndebele Artist
20th century
A mixed-media piece with tightly packed buttons in concentric rings of alternating black and mixed-color buttons radiate outward from a central white disk speckled with tiny colorful marks.
Untitled
Elias Sime
2002
Two-piece ensemble Tunic made of synthetic damask cloth w/ silk embroidered geometric patterns in black, yellow, red, green; with mother of pearl buttons large and small sewn throughout in geometric patterns; see-through synthetic black panels on side of top "asherah nahuak; white cotton muslin trousers "srauleen" w/ silk embroidery on lower legs in red, orange, green, yellow and black thread"
Woman's Wedding Ensemble
Amazigh Artist
late 20th century
The full figure of a standing cat, tail thrust upward.
Smiling Cat
Jesse Aaron
late 20th century

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