Snuff Spoon/ Hair Ornament
Arts of Africa
Ivory’s value results from its scarcity, as well as its association with the elephant, a symbol of power and strength. Ivory bracelets, decorated with engraved designs, were made by the Fur of the Darfur region of Sudan and traded as far as Eritrea and the Republic of the Congo. Hairpins from the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are worn by both men and women to hold hats and ornate hairstyles in place. These hairpins are particularly ostentatious, since each is made from a large piece of ivory, most of which is carved away.
MEDIUM
Bone or ivory
DATES
19th century
ACCESSION NUMBER
22.1068a
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Thomas A. Eddy
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Pair with tops shaped like hollowed cashew nuts, and engraved. Condition: good. Piece broken off top of "b."
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Northern Nguni. Snuff Spoon/ Hair Ornament, 19th century. Bone or ivory, 5 7/8 x 13/16 in. (14.9 x 2.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Thomas A. Eddy, 22.1068a. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1068a_PS6.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 22.1068a_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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