Accession Number2000/2.98
TitleBody Ornament
Artist(s)Object Creation Datecirca 1890-1920Medium & SupportbrassDimensions 7 3/16 in x 5 1/2 in x 2 15/16 in (18.26 cm x 13.97 cm x 7.46 cm)
Credit LineGift of Dr. James and Vivian CurtisSubject matterThis object listed as made by Kirdi peoples, while most likely correct, is not without issue. “Kirdi”, meaning pagan, was the label given to the various peoples from northern Cameroon, northeastern Nigeria, and southern Chad by neighboring Fulani and Kanuri peoples because they did not practice Islam, while the latter do. The people collectively known as “Kirdi” are actually many different cultural groups with their own customs. However, due to a lack of information on where exactly this object came from, it is not possible to say with certainty which group of people created it.
Although it is not clear how this object would have been worn, it is made of brass like many other objects, such as aprons, belts, and jewelry used to display a woman's beauty, wealth, and status.
References Cited:
Gebauer, Paul. 1979.
Art of Cameroon. Portland, Or.: Portland Art Museum.
Lembezat, Bertrand. 1961.
Les populations païennes du Nord-Cameroun et de l'Adamaoua. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France.
Lembezat, Bertrand. 1952.
Mukulehe; un clan montagnard du Nord-Cameroun; coutumes, rites, croyances. Paris: Berger-Levrault.
Northern, Tamara. 1984.
The Art of Cameroon. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.
Page, Donna. 2007.
A Cameroon World. New York: QCC Art Gallery Press.
Physical DescriptionFlat, rectangular-shaped piece of brass with concave sides and a central projection of a rod with a flat head. Along the center there is a design of alternating straight and undulating lines. There are two concentric semi-circles on the left and right sides of the design.
Primary Object Classification Jewelry Primary Object Typebody ornamentCollection AreaAfricanRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
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Keywords
ceremonial costume
costume accessories
social status
symbols of office or status
wealth
women (female humans)