Object Notes

In West Sumba, women wear the mamuli either as an earring or as a pendant. The simple cleft-diamond shape of the ornament, which resembles the Greek letter omega, contrasts with the lively clusters of tiny balls decorating it.

The pendant called mendaka is a symbol of rank, prestige, and power. Its cleft-oval shape implies that is was used as an ear ornament. The Sundanese interpret the organic form as a winged snake-dragon or serpent.

The three Marys of the African-American community represent the three cultures of African antiquity: Egypt, Benin, and the Dogon of Mali.

Romare Bearden was one of the great collage artists of the 20th century. In this jigsaw-like construction, he deftly assembled painted paper fragments, bits of magazine and newspaper images, and printed fabric in an image of three musicians, each with an instrument.

Bwa divination objects commonly include figurative hooks and long staffs but rarely free-standing figures with the palms turned inward like this one. Such figures were believed to have supernatural powers that could be manipulated by a diviner to ascertain the cause and cure of his client's misfortune.