Our African special collections were created with help from The Society of African Missions in Tenafly, New Jersey.
Africa is home to a wide range of exotic animals. Many African cultures used those animals in their artwork, creating sculptures and masks incorporating animal features.
I:
Bush Cow Mask from the Mama Culture of Northern Nigeria
Information on the Bush Cow Mask:
II:
Bird Carving from the Senufo Culture of the Ivory Coast
Information on the Bird Carving:
A similar Bird Carving from the Senufo People at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
III. a,b.c :
Carved Soapstone Elephants
IV:
Giraffe
V.a:
Chi Waras
V.b:
Chi Waras
VI:
Traditional Tie Dye Fabric & Batik from Nigeria or the Ivory Coast
VII:
Kpan Mask from the Baule People of the Ivory Coast
Information on Baule Culture: