This drum, from Nigeria, is characteristic of the Yoruba people. The object is made from wood and displays intricate carvings of fish legged people. The stylized carving represents the king-god and his arm-supporters. The drum is large in size and is missing it’s hide drumhead. Penn Museum Object #29-93-39 See this and other objects [...]
One of the first projects I remember working on at the museum was briefly helping with was “Iyare!” – a fascinating exhibit of African material from Benin – and one of the most-eye catching pieces in the exhibit was this intricate plaque. The bronze plaques from the 16th Century Nigerian kingdom have long amazed people [...]
This ornate ivory box is made by the Edo in Nigeria, Africa. The box lid includes representations of two human like figures (on the left) and a reptile like creature (on the right). The sides of the box are decorated with a three-ply two strand twist (each strand is three-ply). Additionally, the bottom of box [...]
This wooden sculpture from Nigeria depicts two African men carrying a European man wearing a pith helmet in a palanquin. Read more about the depiction of Europeans in Yoruba art in the Expedition magazine article The Pink People by David Crownover. Penn Museum Object #75-31-1. See this and other objects like it in the Penn [...]
This wooden dance crest of a female head was made in the 20th century by the Ekoi or Ejagham people of Nigeria. A hide covers her face and hair and short nails stud the part above forehead. Five hornlike projections, carved in fluted style, decorate her elaborate braided hairstyle. Penn Museum Object #82-1-1. View this [...]
