Object Notes | DMA Staging Content Management System

1966.26, Figure of a young man from a funerary relief, Greek, Attic, c. 330, marble

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Dating to the late 4th century BCE, this finely modeled figure was originally part of a deep relief. Such Greek funerary reliefs often included supporting figures surrounding the deceased person; in this case, an older man, the youth's father, probably once completed the group.

1996.34.A-B, Red figure patera with Atlas handle, attributed to the Painter of Louvre MNB 1148 (Trendall), Greek, South Italian, Apulian, last third of the fourth century BCE

Read more about 1996.34.A-B, Red figure patera with Atlas handle, attributed to the Painter of Louvre MNB 1148 (Trendall), Greek, South Italian, Apulian, last third of the fourth century BCE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This patera, or offering bowl, is a rare type featuring a terracotta sculptural handle in the form of a male nude with a beard. He upholds the disk of the bowl in his upstretched hands which is likely a reference to the mythological ch

1968.28.a-b, Red-figure pyxis with lid: women's quarters, Assigned to the Penthesilea Workshop (?), Greek, Attic, c. 450 BCE

Read more about 1968.28.a-b, Red-figure pyxis with lid: women's quarters, Assigned to the Penthesilea Workshop (?), Greek, Attic, c. 450 BCE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

In the ancient Greek city-state of Athens, as well as the Greek world in general, men and women lived separate lives. Men lived in the public world of politics, war, business, courtrooms, and schools.

2006.45 Textile (kente)

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Kente from Ghana is undoubtedly the best-known African textile in the world.

2007.34.2 Fly whisk with Janus-faced standing lion

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION

For the Baule peoples, fly whisks have functions beyond swatting away insects—they can be part of the Baule royal regalia. The value placed on this object is apparent from its gilded wooden handle. Red cloth and string are wrapped around the whisk's handle. The fabric's dye has transferred to the horsehair tail over time.

1969.S.206 Two-mouthed cup with faces in relief (_kopa_)

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Shaped like a particular type of gourd sliced in half, this cup displays an incised face within concentric circles on each side. The slightly convex eyes are closed on one side and open on the other. The faces refer to the hemba nkisi, a wooden helmet mask that appeared during the boys' initiation into adult society.

1976.48 Standing figure

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Figures like this one with a columnar form, sloping shoulders and hips, long arms framing the abdomen, and short, notched legs are used by Mumuye diviners and healers to diagnose and treat illness and other misfortune.

1969.S.72.A-B Knife box

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION

African women in traditional societies enhanced their natural beauty with scarification and cosmetic preparations. For example, they applied black kohl to their eyes, painted their faces and bodies with a reddish powder or paste, and moisturized their skin with shea butter. These and other cosmetic substances required containers for mixing and storage.