Faw Faw Hat

Tribe: Woodlands - Western great lakes, attributed to the Mesquakie Date: 19th century or earlier Materials: Bulrush, vegetal dyes, indigo cloth-strap tie. Dimensions: L 86" x 55" Condition: Excellent, some wear patterns, minor fading. No restoration. Comments: The intricate interlocking geometric patterns provide innumerable hourglass and diamond motifs which are the central patterns of Western Great Lakes iconography. This artist achieved an extraordinary level of sophistication in overlaying diamond/hourglass design on contrasting background colors resulting in a dynamic interplay of pulsating foreground and background. "Rush mats...

Mukuba (Hat), Bwami Society, Lega Culture, Democratic Republic of Congo 1st Half 20th Century Plant fiber, buttons, elephant tail hair, blue cloth 7...

Traditionally worn as a symbol of rank and title, this beautiful Kuba chieftain's cap (laket mishiing) is embellished with cowrie shells and rows of blue, white and black glass beads. The body of the hat has been fashioned from raffia fibre using the woven basketry technique, and displays the typical form of the Kuba 'laket' cap, with four scallop-shaped 'ears'. When worn, one of the 'ears' would have been squarely positioned at the front of the wearer's forehead. Given to Kuba men upon completion of an initiation rite, small dome-shaped raffia hats signalled their transformation into mature members of Kuba society. As a Kuba man moved up the social ladder, his headgear would change, with male titleholders commissioning local artisans to produce splendidly decorated prestige hats to signal his rank. The accumulation of materials on a Kuba man’s hat...

An exceptional Voodoo Objet fro Africa, Uganda ,Buganda Kingdom, the object is decorated with Shells, Beads, Fiber,seeds and iron, a Royal fetish used by higher Royalty, ex-collecti...

Handmade Native American art piece. Every object that makes up this piece has a significant meaning. Metal stand included, which measures 7" x 16" x 20" x .25" thick.