Welcome
This collection will take you through an in-depth look at
the representation and symbolism of animals in African art. You will see objects from the
Bamana, Fante, Yoruba, Baule, Bwa, Kongo, Asante, Benin, and Kuba people. This museum
will allow you to experience far beyond the assumption of African “safari”
animals, and explain the key roles many of these animals have in not only
African art, but also how they are represented in the lives of the people discussed. Please enjoy your tour.
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Images sources: (clockwise from top left)
[1] Baule, Jewelry: Crocodile, cast gold, The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Museum of Art Collection, Formerly in The AMICO Library (photograph provided by ARTstor)
[2] Kuba, Divining Object (Itombwa): Animal Form, 19th-20th Century, wood, fiber, 2 1/8 x 1 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. (5.45 x 3.82 x 26.7 cm). Dallas Museum of Art Collection, Formerly in The AMICO Library (photograph provided by ARTstor
[3] Bamana, Female Antelope Headdress (chi wara), 1920’s, wood, beads, metal, shells, The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Museum of Art Collection (Formerly in The AMICO Library) (photograph provided by ARTstor)
[4] Fon, Elephant Figure (view #1), 19th century, silver (silver/copper/alloy), H. 12in. Metropolitan Museum of Art - Images for Academic Publishing (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Anne d'Harnoncourt and Joseph Rishel, in memory of Rene and Sarah Carr d'Harnoncourt and Nelson A. Rockefeller, 2002 (2002.517.2) (photograph provided by ARTstor)
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Images sources: (clockwise from top left)
[1] Baule, Jewelry: Crocodile, cast gold, The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Museum of Art Collection, Formerly in The AMICO Library (photograph provided by ARTstor)
[2] Kuba, Divining Object (Itombwa): Animal Form, 19th-20th Century, wood, fiber, 2 1/8 x 1 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. (5.45 x 3.82 x 26.7 cm). Dallas Museum of Art Collection, Formerly in The AMICO Library (photograph provided by ARTstor
[3] Bamana, Female Antelope Headdress (chi wara), 1920’s, wood, beads, metal, shells, The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Museum of Art Collection (Formerly in The AMICO Library) (photograph provided by ARTstor)
[4] Fon, Elephant Figure (view #1), 19th century, silver (silver/copper/alloy), H. 12in. Metropolitan Museum of Art - Images for Academic Publishing (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Anne d'Harnoncourt and Joseph Rishel, in memory of Rene and Sarah Carr d'Harnoncourt and Nelson A. Rockefeller, 2002 (2002.517.2) (photograph provided by ARTstor)