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A dark carved wooden cylinder topped with a flat lid bearing a tall conical spike. The middle section features raised carvings of human figures holding objects, resting on a thick base decorated with an interwoven geometric pattern.
Altar with Spike
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Foad Seyed Mohammadi

Altar with Spike

Maker African, Nigeria, Benin
Dateundated
MediumWood and patina
Dimensions13 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (34.9 x 19.1 x 19.1 cm)
ClassificationsArchitectural Elements
Credit LineGift of Rod McGalliard
Object number1993.12.44
Collections
Visual DescriptionA dark carved wooden cylinder topped with a flat lid bearing a tall conical spike. The middle section features raised carvings of human figures holding objects, resting on a thick base decorated with an interwoven geometric pattern.
A circular metal bracelet featuring four evenly spaced, raised nodes with small carved details. A curved segment of the band between two of the nodes is completely wrapped in tightly coiled reddish-brown wire. Details include two leopard head mask and two mudfish.
Bracelet
African, Nigeria, Benin
undated
Miniature Bust
Miniature Bust
African, Nigeria, Benin
c. 1940
Miniature bust
Miniature bust
African, Nigeria, Benin
c. 1940
Miniature bust
Miniature bust
African, Nigeria, Benin
c. 1940
Miniature bust
Miniature bust
African, Nigeria, Benin
c. 1940
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Indian Artist
17th-18th century
A rectangular terracotta brick with a relief carving of a structure featuring a two-tiered, scale-patterned roof. Beneath the arched roof, supported by columns, a standing figure appears in profile with raised arms. The background is filled with textured, foliage-like details, and a geometric pattern lines the bottom edge.
Kṛṣṇa playing the flute: Pictorial brick from a Bengal temple facade
Indian Artist
17th-18th century
Carved wooden post.
Post
Igbo Artist
late 19th-early 20th century
Post in the form of a kneeling female figure holding a vessel to the front, with reverse bearded head below, tall coiffure, cylindrical crown projection, and pigment.
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Agbonbiofe Adesina
early 20th century
A black metal silhouette sculpture featuring a cross with heart and sunburst motifs at the top, two birds perched on a crescent shape below, and a pointed base.
Roof pinnacle with birds
Mexican Artist
undated
Black silhouette of a wrought-iron cross. It features trefoil ends, a central sunburst motif, and two kneeling winged figures positioned on a crescent-shaped bar above a rectangular base.
Roof pinnacle with figures
Mexican Artist
undated
two bricks
Bricks
Indian Artist
before 20th century

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