Pendant
1 of 3
Object Label
These pendants carved from hippopotamus teeth were strung on cords with beads and amulets. The gesture of the hands on the breasts signifies divination, respect, and the containment of royal secrets.
The pendants are portraits, or at least likenesses, of certain revered ancestors, who are named and honored. Devotees have rubbed the figures with oil in homage to these ancestors, creating a smooth, rich color and lustrous surface.
Caption
Luba. Pendant, 19th century. Hippopotamus tooth, 3 1/4 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/2 in. (8.3 x 3.2 x 3.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1234. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Pendant
Date
19th century
Geography
Place made: Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Medium
Hippopotamus tooth
Classification
Dimensions
3 1/4 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/2 in. (8.3 x 3.2 x 3.8 cm)
Credit Line
Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
Accession Number
22.1234
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