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Skin Matters
Skin Matters
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Foad Seyed Mohammadi

Skin Matters

Artist Tesfahun Kibru (Ethiopian, born 1978)
Date2004
MediumLeather and rubber on wood stretcher
Dimensionsframed: 57 1/2 x 30 7/8 x 2 in. (146.1 x 78.4 x 5.1 cm)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineGift of Anonymous Donor
Object number2007.32.2
Collections
This is the complete costume of a young married woman, including dress and accoutrements. It includes a dress, headdress, bracelets, anklets, pouches for tobacco and other smoking paraphernalia.
Married Woman's Dress
Mfengu Artist
late 19th-mid 20th century
Dream Weave
Dream Weave
Patrick Bongoy
2022
Spring 1
Spring 1
Patrick Bongoy
2022
One beadwork rectangle, backed with printed cloth mounted on flexible material. Has rubber band attached to top for support. Black, red, white fringe at bottom. Beadwork consists of geometric frame of red, white, blue, yellow beads surrounding white field in which is spelled "Mikael Kanaki" in purple beads- believed to be maker's name.
Beaded panel
Papua New Guinea
undated
Geometric design in blue, white, yellow, red, and purple glass beads. Tassels at ends decorated with red and white cloth. Object worn tied around the leg in dances.
Beaded leg ornament
Papua New Guinea
undated
Round bowl-shaped basket containing sculptures of varied dimensions and materials, including manmade and natural objects/substances; pelts attached to rim.
Divination basket (tuphele or tupele)
Luvale Artist
1973
Dark wooden figure on an oval base. The figure has scarifications, a tall, striated coiffure, and a beaded waistband.
Male twin figure (ere ibeji)
Yoruba Artist
20th century
Ink and pigment on paper mounted on both sides of a hanging board, arched leather strap at top with fringe, written passages are at center of both sides, surrounded by geometric designs in yellow, black, white, red, green, and blue
Koranic Board
Abdel Qadr
1966
A long, slender spear with a polished reddish-brown wooden shaft. The top features a flat, flared dark metal blade. The bottom ends in a pointed dark metal spike, just below a bound cluster of cowrie shells.
Spear
Liberian Artist
undated
Wooden headrest with beaded carrying loops. Central support columns (2 legs) adorned with beads, curved base.
Headrest (ngachar or chemperit)
Pokot Artist
20th century
Wood cylinder with red, green, and black beaded strands on body; terminating in large lighter color cylindrical beads on leather strips; tiny orange-red beads on neck; braided hair strands with beads as hair.
Beaded Doll (ham pilu)
Fali Artist
20th century
Headrest
Headrest
Dinka Artist
20th century

Collections research is ongoing. Information provided on the Harn’s website about collection objects may be updated, revised, or enhanced at any time.

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