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17 UMMA Objects
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Small bowl supported by two fish on a circular base. The two fish are curved so that the head, tail, and one fin support the bowl while the middle of the body rests on the base. The other fin connects the fish's tail to the head. The edge of the bowl and the base are decorated with incised diagonal marks. 
Yoruba (Yoruba (culture or style))
Bowl
1901 – 1999
Gift and partial purchase from the estate of Kurt Delbanco in honor of Nicholas Delbanco
2017/1.669
This small power figure features a naturalistic human face engulfed in layers of multi-media attachments, which create an imposing visual effect. The figure wears a blue turban wrapped around its head that binds bundles of medicinal substances and is crowned with several feathers. It also dons a metal necklace and a small bone dangles from the arm. The lower body is covered in fiber and a skirt of long leather strips. Possessing eyes encrusted with glass, the figure stands on top of a carved wooden turtle and holds the tip of a curved piece of wood in its mouth, the other end of which terminates in its clutched right hand. A large medicine pack, topped with a round mirror, is affixed to the figure's torso, which is thickly coated with resin and red pigment.
Yombe (Yombe (culture or style))
Power Figure
1850 – 1899
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.191
Iron staff with 3 sets of 4 bells along the length, with two leaf-like protrusions near the middle. At the top are 7 birds in a circle surmounted by one large bird.
Yoruba (Yoruba (culture or style))
Diviner's Staff
1901 – 1999
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.238
This wooden staff has pieces of cloth wrapped on both extensions. One end depicts an abstract anthropomorphic face, while the other appears to function as a handle and is embellished with two strings of black and white beads and a loop of blue and white beads.
Kongo (Kongo (culture or style))
Staff
1900 – 1950
Gift of Margaret H. and Albert J. Coudron
2001/2.73
Horizontally positioned statue in the shape of a crocodile. The back of the statue is flattened with a slight concave in the middle. The body contains carved linear designs and the tail has a rectangular shape.
Kuba (Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style))
Rubbing Oracle
1920 – 1930
Museum Purchase made possible by the Friends of the Museum of Art
1988/1.131
Cloth bag covered with multi-colored beadwork. The front is split into four asymetric panels; the far left has what may be a bow and arrow surmounted by a chameleon on a blue background; the next panel has a round face with triangle and checkerboard patterns; the next panel has a pattern of horizontal zig-zags; the far right panel has blue and white checkerboard pattern, except for one area that has a pink and orange checkerboard design. The inside also has a cloth lining, which may be <em>adire</em> or <em>aso oke</em> cloth. 
Yoruba (Yoruba (culture or style))
Diviner's Bag
20th century
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
1997/1.339
Carved wooden figure of a crocodile. A carved wooden bell is attached to the figures neck. The face (eyes, nose, and mouth) are detailed.
Kongo (Kongo (culture or style))
Power figure (nkisi kozo)
20th century
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
1997/1.352
Horizontally positioned statue in the shape of an animal. The back of the statue is flattened with a slight concave in the middle. The body is decorated with a carved diamond design consisting of intersecting lines. and the tail has a rectangular shape. There is a metal ring wrapped around the neck in addition to multicolored beads. There is also a piece of fiber attached to the neck of the statue with a small bell-shaped wooden piece attached to the end of the fiber.
Kuba (Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style))
Friction Oracle
20th century
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
1997/1.358
Small, semi-circular beaded bag with three beaded tassels and a braided leather handle. The base of the beadwork is blue, with three faces, two yellow and red flowers, and an interlace pattern decorating the surface. The outside of the bag is edged with yellow and red beads. 
Yoruba (Yoruba (culture or style))
Diviner's Beaded Bag
1960 – 1999
Gift of Dr. Daniel and Sandra Mato
2003/2.31
A square bag made of dark red cloth covered with white, blue, black, red, and gold beadwork. The beadwork forms a large interlace pattern. Attached to the top of the bag is a brown cloth handle. 
Yoruba (Yoruba (culture or style))
Diviner's Beaded Bag
1960 – 1999
Gift of Dr. Daniel and Sandra Mato
2003/2.32
This woodcarved, cephalomorphic divination pestle is representative of the Luba Shankadi style of figural sculpture, which is characterized by an abstract and schematic form. The head features a convex face, diamond-shaped eyes carved in relief, a ridged forehead and nose, an oblong mouth, and a long, cylindrical neck. The figure’s terraced, cascading coiffure is typical of hairstyles found in the Shankadi region. Four strands of china beads, white and blue in color, have been tied around the pestle and sit atop its circular base.
Luba (Luba (culture or style))
Pestle
1875 – 1885
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.221
This vessel made from a hollowed gourd is covered by animal skin and plugged by a finely carved, wooden head. The gourd visually creates a bulbous body for the figure. Further enhancing the anthropomorphic effect are small wooden rods, two of which appear below either side of the head resembling arms and held in place by twisted fiber. The head itself features prominent, rounded eyebrows, narrowly opened eyes, a perfectly rounded mouth, and a rectangular chin.
Songye (Songye)
Gourd
1925 – 1935
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.232
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