66 UMMA Objects
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Wooden columnar figure wrapped in alternating black and red wire. The top of the figure is wrapped in wire and decorated with leather strands of white beads and a 1946 coin. The limbs are formed by strands of green and red seed beads terminating in large white beads.  
Fertility Figure
20th century
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
1997/1.342
Carved wooden human figure with a columnar body and limbs. The body is decorated with strands of beads, primarily red, white, and purple. The neck and ankles have multiple strands of yellow beads while one wrist has a metal bracelet. The top of the figure is decorated with human hair. 
Northern Cameroon
Figure
20th century
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
1997/1.353
Staff with a short cylindrical handle topped by two rectangular forms. The front of the staff contains two faces on the rectangular forms, while the back of the staff contains only one face. The bottom face is rectangular with three vertical marks on each cheek and zig-zag patterns along the forehead, while the upper face is round with three vertical marks on each cheek and five vertical marks on the forehead. Along the handle and rectangular projections there are incised zig-zag decorations. 
Yoruba (Yoruba (culture or style))
Dance Staff
1950 – 1999
Gift and partial purchase from the estate of Kurt Delbanco in honor of Nicholas Delbanco
2017/1.614
This carved, wooden Yaka figure depicts a man standing with an animal perched atop his head. The carving is stylized and exhibits characteristics typically seen among northern Yaka figural representations: flexed knees; arms bent with upturned palms positioned at shoulder level; and, an animal figure upon its head. In this case, the creature has a curved body and appears to be an anteater. The male figure has a narrow, cylindrical body; a slightly protruding belly; a simple coiffure; an elongated face; barely-open eyes from which vertical lines extend downward; a disproportionately large, pointed nose, and a darkened beard.
Yaka (Yaka (Kwango-Kwilu region style))
Figure
1915 – 1925
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.193
This wooden mortar is decorated by finely carved geometric patterns and features two anthropomorphic heads bearing recognizable Chokwe characteristics including coffeebean-shaped eyes enclosed in large ocular cavities. The lower head, the face of an idealized female (<em>mwana pwo</em>), forms the body of the mortar. The upper head, turned at a 90 degree angle from the lower head, is wearing a headdress which extends behind his face. Resting on top of the upper head is the bowl of the mortar.
Chokwe (Chokwe (culture or style))
Mortar
1865 – 1875
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.205
As one of a pair of delicately carved, ivory statuette-pendants, this female figure stands upright, as opposed to her counterpart whose head and upper body lean slightly forward. Both, however, have a round head with a convex face; large, coffeebean-shaped eyes; a rectangular mouth with prominent lips; a cylindrical neck; and, a coiffure decorated on the back with a cruciform pattern. Additionally, both female figures clutch their breasts in their hands. The statuettes have been pierced through, allowing them to suspend from a string.
Luba (Luba (culture or style))
Power Figure
1845 – 1855
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.220.1
This wooden&nbsp;figure depicts a female with a strikingly large, balloon-shaped animal skin sack tied above the crown of her head. An animal horn has been embedded within this massive sack. Representative of the northern style of Kusu carvings which is known to have sharp, angular forms, this&nbsp;<em>kakudji</em>&nbsp;features an ovoid head; a rounded, convex face and forehead; large ears; prominent cheekbones; coffeebean-shaped eyes within large ocular cavities; a well-defined, pointed nose; an elliptical mouth with slightly parted lips; a long, cylindrical neck; arms bent at the elbow, forming a 90-degree angle at the waist; and breasts that are situated nearly at shoulder level. The figure possesses a swollen belly, indicating pregnancy, and hence, representing the themes of maternity, fertility, and the continuation of the lineage. Animal skin enshrouds the female&rsquo;s lower body. Tukula powder, derived from the camwood tree and used to consecrate&nbsp;<em>kakudji</em>, appears on the figure&rsquo;s
Kusu (Kusu (Luba region style))
Power Figure
1915 – 1925
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern
2005/1.223
Ring with two conical projections, decorated with concentric horizontal grooves and a large loop.
Ring
1925 – 1940
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Milford Golden
1986/2.148
This wooden Chokwe staff features a smooth, narrow rod and a large carving of a female figure at its finial.  The female bears an elaborate, ridged coiffure, closed, coffee-bean shaped eyes, raised scarifications on her face, torso, and back, rounded shoulders, arms positioned down by her side, and a protruding navel. 
Chokwe (Chokwe (culture or style))
Staff
1900 – 1950
Gift of Margaret H. and Albert J. Coudron
2001/2.69
An apron made from multi-colored beadwork, primarily red, white, green, blue, and pink beads in a diamond pattern. The bottom edge of the apron is decorated with a fringe of cowrie shells. 
Beaded Apron
1890 – 1920
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
2000/2.24
Apron in the form of fiber fringe attached to a woven loop at the top. Over the fiber is rectangular red and white beadwork with a pattern of triangles and small dots. 
Apron
1890 – 1920
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
2000/2.49
An apron in the form of a triangular piece of leather with geometric designs. The bottom of the leather is decorated with two rows of beads. At the top of the apron is a leather fringe with blue beads and two coins. 
Apron
1940 – 1999
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
2000/2.54
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