Western Africa

The collection includes fine examples of canonical ritual figures and masks, ceremonial objects, an extensive selection of body adornment, textiles from a broad spectrum of West African cultures, and contemporary works by artists such as Malick Sidibé, Twins Seven Seven, El Anatsui, Nike Davies-Okundaye, Victor Ekpuk, and Owusu-Ankomah.

Unidentified Yoruba maker
Gẹlẹdẹ Mask
collected 1966
167.6.24042
Unidentified Yoruba maker
Woman's Wrapper
collected 1977
178.30.25837
Malick Sidibé, Malian, 1936 - 2016
Untitled (Reclining Woman)
1969
2005.19
El Anatsui, Ghanaian, born 1944
Hovor
2003
2005.42
Malick Sidibé, Malian, 1936 - 2016
Babanco Club
negative 1964; print 2006
2006.82.1
Unidentified Baule maker
Figure for an Mbra Shrine, Spirit Figure for a Trance Diviner
about 1965-1975
2008.91
Carved by Sakiwa or his son, Nupe
Carved Door
1920-1940
2009.64
Victor Ekpuk, Nigerian, born 1964
Three Wise Men
1996
2013.94
Lamidi Fakeye, Yoruba / Nigerian, 1928 - 2009
Yoruba Kneeling Female Figure Holding a Bowl
early 1960s
2013.98.2
Akin Fakeye, Nigerian, born 1936
Veranda Post
early 1960s
2013.98.3
Owusu-Ankomah, Ghanaian, born 1956
Starkid
2007
2014.14
Victor Ekpuk, Nigerian, born 1964
Composition No. 13 (Santa Fe Suite)
2013
2015.28.1
Unidentified maker (Ghana)
Quiver and Arrows
late 19th-early 20th century
38.25.6032
Unidentified Verre maker
Woman's Hip Ornament
19th-20th century
985.7.26434
Unidentified possibly proto-Bamana maker
Miniature Equestrian Figure
15-16th century
986.19.26707
Unidentified Dogon maker
Fragment of Granary Shutter Lock
19th century
986.83.26662
Unidentified Yoruba maker
Armlet
19th century or earlier
987.62.26902
Unidentified Lobi or Bwa maker
Four Legged Stool With Antelope Head Finial
late 19th-20th century
990.53.27135
Unidentified Dan maker
Bugle, Mask Associated with Warfare
19th-20th century
990.53.27175
Unidentified Tiv or Jukun maker
Ceremonial Axe
19th-20th century
991.48.29009
Unidentified Yoruba maker
Bell for Ritual Use
19th-20th century
992.16.29020
Unidentified Bozo maker
Marionette Head of a Ram
20th century
992.17.29021
Unidentified Ibo (Igbo) maker
Asufu Mask (Three-faced Helmet Mask)
mid-20th century
992.17.29022
Unidentified Dogon maker
Two Balafon Players at their Instrument
first quarter of the 20th century
992.19.29023
Unidentified Mende maker
Initiation Society Mask
mid-20th century
992.42.29086
Unidentified Yoruba, African-American Diaspora maker
Power Basket
20th century
995.54.30220
Unidentified Senufo, Bobo, Bwa, Gurunsi or Frafra maker
Anklet
19th-mid 20th century
998.53.30371
Unidentified Senufo, Bobo, Bwa, Gurunsi or Frafra maker
Anklet
19th-mid 20th century
998.53.30374
Unidentified Songhai or Peul maker
Bracelet Retaining the Manilla Form
19th century
998.53.30401
Unidentified Baule maker
Woman's Anklet
19th century
998.53.30406
Unidentified Baule maker
Woman's Anklet
19th century
998.54.30438
Unidentified Fon maker
Bracelet
19th century
998.54.30439
Unidentified Bamana (Bambara) maker
Female Figure
late 19th century
999.13.30471
Unidentified Edo maker
Hip Ornament Representing the Head of a Benin Court Official
attributed to the early 18th century
999.42.33929
Unidentified Igbomina Yoruba maker
Figures
19th century
999.57.30293
Twins Seven Seven, Nigerian, 1944 - 2011
Untitled (Figure Cutting Down Tree)
1970s
d.2003.21.1
Unidentified Dogon maker
Ritual Ancestor Trough
19th-early 20th century
mis.968.79
Muraina Oyelami, Nigerian, born 1940
Alawada (Jester)
2002
p.2003.7
Unidentified Senufo maker
Kpelie Initiation Society Mask
19th century
s.972.15
Unidentified Yoruba maker
Staff (Oshe Shango)
19th century
s.972.20
Unidentified Senufo maker
Senufo bird (Sejen)
20th century
s.973.242
Unidentified Agni maker
Figure of Pregnant Woman
19th century
s.973.306
Unidentified Oyo-Yoruba maker
Staff (Ogo Eshu Elegba)
20th century
s.973.314
Unidentified Yoruba maker
Òpá òrìsà Oko (Staff with Beaded Sheath and Crown)
early-mid-20th century
s.973.322
Unidentified Senufo maker
Initiation Society Mask (Waniougo)
20th century
s.974.371
Nike Davies-Okundaye, Nigerian, born 1952
Untitled (Adire Quilt)
2002
t.2003.6