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Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_PS1.jpg)
Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_PS1.jpg)
Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_PS1.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_PS1.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_print_threequarter1_bw.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_print_threequarter1_bw.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_detail3_PS5.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_detail3_PS5.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_detail1_PS5.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_detail1_PS5.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_detail2_PS5.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_detail2_PS5.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_detail4_PS5.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_detail4_PS5.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_front_PS5.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_front_PS5.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_detail_PS2.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_detail_PS2.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_print_threequarter2_bw.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_print_threequarter2_bw.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_print_detail_side_bw.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.1134_print_detail_side_bw.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_detail_threequarter_PS2.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_detail_threequarter_PS2.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_bw.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_bw.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_view2_bw.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_view2_bw.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_detail_bw.jpg)

Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_detail_bw.jpg)

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Staff (Mvwala)

Arts of Africa

CULTURE Ngala (Mbangala)
MEDIUM Wood, copper wire, applied materials
  • Possible Place Made: Lower Congo Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    • DATES late 19th or early 20th century
    DIMENSIONS 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa
    ACCESSION NUMBER 22.1134
    CREDIT LINE Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Wooden staff of polished hardwood, finely patinated. Surmounted by carved figure of kneeling woman with child perched on her shoulder. Figures measure 4 1/2 inches from top below which are 12 inches of carved small human figures, birds, animals, and artifacts. The bottom 11 inches contain carved conventionalized designs. This staff was cut down from a longer staff. It represents the top 27 1/2 inches of that longer object. Overall surface is worn. Object is cracked at the bottom.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Ngala (Mbangala). Staff (Mvwala), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_PS1.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 22.1134_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
    "CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.
    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
    You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.
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    Ngala (Mbangala). <em>Staff (Mvwala)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, copper wire, applied materials, 29 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4in. (73.7 x 3.2 x 3.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1134. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1134_PS1.jpg)

    TAGS

    staff
    Ngala
    Congo
    wooden
    Wood
    Copper
    Wire
    Patina
    Woman
    Child
    Birds
    Animals
    Mvwala
    Status
    Beauty

    TAGS

    staff
    Ngala
    Congo
    wooden
    Wood
    Copper
    Wire
    Patina
    Woman
    Child
    Birds
    Animals
    Mvwala
    Status
    Beauty

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