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Between and Mortarboard

UMMA Object Specific Fields




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35 Items in this Learning Collection
Guli Society Mask

Collection Object
Ceremonial sword (afena)
This sword has an iron blade that is narrow toward the handle and gradually widens at the top, ending in a slight curve. Along the edge of the blade are small, half-circular knobs and near the top of the blade there are geometric cut-outs. The handle is formed by two spheres connected by a bar. At the bottom of the handle is a conical projection. The handle is covered in gold-leaf. 
Collection Object
Stool
Wooden stool with a rectangular base and a central column supporting a rectangular seat that curves upward at each end. The central column is decorated with open-work designs of triangles and a checkerboard pattern. Surrounding the column are four rectangular posts decorated with triangular projections along the outer edges. 
Collection Object
Comb

Collection Object
Mask
Large, ovoid mask with a dark patina. The forehead of the face is raised, sloping down to a short, broad nose. The eyes are formed by two cresent shapes separated by a rectangle. On each cheek are three raised marks in a vertical line. The mouth is closed and may be moveable. 
Collection Object
Knife
With iron blade and wood shaft as a kneeling figure.
Collection Object
Staff

Collection Object
Staff
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. 
Collection Object
Mortar
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.
Collection Object
Face Mask
An oval wooden face made of dark shiny wood with a textile braid of hair all around, wrapped tight to the head. The eyes are slightly shut and the mouth is open.
Collection Object
Spoon

Collection Object
Poro Mask
Oval black face mask articulated, protruding angular mouth, nose, and eyes with eye slits. The figure has cowrie shells at the top of the forehead with braided raffia hair on either side of the head and bells beneath the chin.&nbsp;
Collection Object
Mask

Collection Object
Chair
With tripod legs and long curving back.
Collection Object
Secret Society Mask

Collection Object
Mask (Kasangu)
Face mask made of wood, covered in white kaolin; face has round, bulging forehead, deep set narrow eyes, small round ears, fiber beard, open rectangular mouth and pointed teeth; basketry weave that held mask on the dancer’s head is visible at back and sides; raffia attachment on top of head frayed and missing.<br />
Collection Object
Mask

Collection Object
Mask
With fringe beard, carved teeth and scarifications.
Collection Object
N'tomo Society Initiation Mask

Collection Object
Royal Mask (Ngaady a Mwaash)

Collection Object
Chair
This wooden chair has a square, leather covered seat and four legs. The back of the chair also has a leather covering. Much of the chair is decorated with metal tacks.
Collection Object
Ceremonial Sword
This sword with three barbell-shaped handles is attached to a wrought iron shaft ending in two large, curved blades. The shaft is composed of three sections of hourglass-shaped open work interspersed with knots. The two top blades have triangular cut-outs. 
Collection Object
Display figure
A poised, naturalistic male figure sits on a stool, holding an egg in his right hand, his left hand resting on his left knee. The head is round, almost egg-shaped with a high, sloping forehead rising from pronounced eyebrows. The eyes are almond-shaped, the nose long and slender, the mouth a small straignt line. The neck is long and ringed. The surface of the figure is smooth, carefully finished, golden brown in color, though worn or mottled in places. 
Collection Object
Gold-weight
Gold-weight in the shape of a wide, flat blade with a curved hook at one end and a handle in the form of two balls connected by a narrow rod with a small ball the end. 
Collection Object
Commemorative Head
This work is a terracotta head with a narrow, striated neck. The head is flat and circular, slightly tilted back on the neck. The mouth is open with three diagonal marks on each cheek. The eyebrows are formed by one continuous, curved line above the eyes and nose. 
Collection Object
Vessel Lid
A circular cast metal vessel lid with a figural scene on top. Two seated male figures face each other, while both hold staffs and one wears a type of headdress. Between the figures sits a snake and a bowl. The top of the lid is also decorated with an axe, a crocodile or turtle, and spiral designs. 
Collection Object
Gold-weight
Gold-weight in the shape of a curved rod with an incised knob at the narrow end and three notched arches at the wider end.
Collection Object
Gold-dust Scale
Gold-dust scale in three parts. There are two round pans, one larger than the other, and a horizontal beam. The pans each have three holes around the outer edge and an incised circle at the center of each pan. The horizontal beam has a central square projection with a small hole and two hooks on either end. 
Collection Object
Commemorative Head
Ceramic head on a hollow cylinder with a fluted base. The figure&#39;s eyes and mouth are thin, while the nose is angular. The top of the head is covered in small protruding points.&nbsp;
Collection Object
Commemorative Head
Ceramic head atop a hollow cylinder with a fluted base. The face is round with small eyes, nose, and mouth. A horizontal line cuts across the forehead of the figure. At the top of the head are three sets of two interlocking loops, one of which has almost completely broken off.&nbsp;
Collection Object
Vessel
Cast vessel with a round body attached to a rectangular base by a short, spiral column. The body is decorated with figures of turtles, crocodiles, and fish. There are also small spirals across the vessel body. Near the top are two small, round handles. 
Collection Object
Gold-weight
Gold-weight in the shape of a square base with two crossed lines, each with a set of two smaller parallel lines branching outward. 
Collection Object
Gold-weight
Gold-weight in the shape of a curved rod with three round protrusions on the wider end. The opposite end tapers into a rounded point. 
Collection Object
Commemorative Head
This terracotta head with a striated neck is decorated with a pattern of raised knobs and two strings of multi-colored beads. The base of the neck is decorated with three rings of wavy lines. The face is somewhat flat and circular, tilting backwards slightly. There are three diagonal marks on each side of the open mouth. The eyes are almond shaped, framed by brows in the form of one curved line. The hairstyle is formed by four triangular projections. The oblong-shaped ears sit high on each side of the face. 
Collection Object
Gold-weight
Gold-weight in the shape of a square base with two raised, crossed lines each with a set of two smaller parallel lines branching outward. 
Collection Object

Copyright
All Rights Reserved ()

Ceremonial sword (afena)

Accession Number
1997/1.309

Title
Ceremonial sword (afena)

Artist(s)
Asante

Artist Nationality
Asante

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
iron, wood and gold leaf

Dimensions
2 15/16 in x 30 1/16 in x 3 9/16 in (7.46 cm x 76.36 cm x 9.05 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis

Subject matter
Swords, called afena by the Asante, evolved from use as formidable weapons to ceremonial objects by the 18th and 19th century. Elaborate decoration and gold-leaf on afena were used to show the difference in standing among men at the ruler—the Asantehene—of the Asante's court. The origin of their shape may be islamic weapons from sahara trade. Afena were also used as communication tools, as officials sent to deliver messages or conduct negotiations were escorted by sword-bearers.

References Cited: 

MacLeod, Malcolm D. 1981. The Asante. London: British Museum Publications Ltd. 

Physical Description
This sword has an iron blade that is narrow toward the handle and gradually widens at the top, ending in a slight curve. Along the edge of the blade are small, half-circular knobs and near the top of the blade there are geometric cut-outs. The handle is formed by two spheres connected by a bar. At the bottom of the handle is a conical projection. The handle is covered in gold-leaf. 

Primary Object Classification
Metalwork

Primary Object Type
sword

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
ceremonial swords
communication (function)
regalia
royalty (nobility)
symbols of office or status

2 Related Resources

& Author Notes

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