Awl or 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
Ivory, copper
DATES
late 19th or early 20th century
DIMENSIONS
9 1/16in. (23cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER
56.6.53
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Arturo and Paul Peralta-Ramos
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Ivory awl or hair ornament. Hair pin, ivory, copper end incised with two lizard-like motifs, cross-hatching and rings, rim slightly bent.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Mangbetu. Awl or Hair Ornament, late 19th or early 20th century. Ivory, copper, 9 1/16in. (23cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Arturo and Paul Peralta-Ramos, 56.6.53. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 56.6.53_PS6.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 56.6.53_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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