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A dark, elongated oval wooden box covered in carved geometric patterns. A diamond lattice design decorates the top, while interwoven herringbone lines cover the rest of the surface. A smooth, raised oval handle sits in the center.
Cosmetic Box
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Foad Seyed Mohammadi

Cosmetic Box

Maker Kuba Artist
Dateundated
Place of originDemocratic Republic of Congo, Africa
MediumWood with pigment
Dimensions1 5/8 x 10 3/4 x 2 1/2 in. (4.1 x 27.3 x 6.4 cm)
ClassificationsFurnishings and Equipment
Credit LineGift of Rod McGalliard
Object number1995.28.53
Collections
Visual DescriptionA dark, elongated oval wooden box covered in carved geometric patterns. A diamond lattice design decorates the top, while interwoven herringbone lines cover the rest of the surface. A smooth, raised oval handle sits in the center.
Cylindrical box with openwork top of four arches. Side with relief carving of interlace and lozenge patterns. Red pigment rubbed into incised areas.
Lidded Cosmetic Box
Kuba Artist
c. 1950
A carved dark wooden scoop featuring an elongated oval bowl. Its straight cylindrical handle connects to a textured, horizontally ribbed upper section that splits into two large, smooth, inward-curving horn-like prongs whose tips nearly touch at the top.
Carved geometric spoon (wakemia)
Dan Artist
20th century
A small white ceramic plate with blue painted designs. The center features a stylized bird standing on rocks within a scalloped border, while a wavy vine decorates the rim.
Blue and White Dish with Phoenix Design
Chinese Artist
Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
This ear cup reflects the Song period's profound interest in history in its characteristic design found in jades of the late Han period (206BC-AD220). The thinly worked oval cup has two flat handles projecting just below the rim at the longer sides, resting on an oval base with a raised foot ring. The highly translucent yellow jade possesses darker russet brown inclusions creating a desirable "skin" throughout the cup. The ear cup is of a fine, smooth polish. In our opinion, this ear cup is a fi…
Ear Cup
Chinese Artist
Qing dynasty (1644-1911) or later
A dark wooden mask featuring incised geometric patterns and large, deep circular eye sockets with raised center pegs. It is topped with a thick crown of dark feathers and fibers, with long, thin tendrils hanging down from the sides.
Mask, ishyeenmaal, isehndemale or pwoom itok
Kuba Artist
20th century
Crescent shaped, relief carved with geometric designs.
Carved Cosmetic Bar (tool or tukula)
Kuba Artist
20th century
Carved Cosmetic Bar (tool or tukula)
Carved Cosmetic Bar (tool or tukula)
Kuba Artist
20th century
Carved cosmetic bar (tool or tukula)
Carved cosmetic bar (tool or tukula)
Kuba Artist
20th century
Carved Cosmetic Bar (tool or tukula)
Carved Cosmetic Bar (tool or tukula)
Kuba Artist
20th century
Carved cosmetic bar (tool or tukula)
Carved cosmetic bar (tool or tukula)
Kuba Artist
20th century
A brightly painted, square wooden box with a pyramidal lid sits. The box is decorated in red, yellow, and green with images of an elephant and a deer. The lid features floral and geometric patterns.
Covered Box
Indian Artist
20th century
A pair of dark blue slippers with yellow beadwork. The toes feature a brown heart shape outlined in yellow with curving lines above. A continuous, interlocking yellow loop pattern decorates the sides, and the openings have brown trim.
Royal Slippers (bata ileke)
Yoruba Artist
20th Century

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