Stacks of newspapers in Recycling Center, Isla Vista, CA. 1976
Type C print of stacks of newspapers held together by straps; central paper advertises car sales. Signed and dated on the reverse.
In loving memory of my mother, Marion Post Wolcott in recognition of her work and love for the Isla Vista community.
Cibachrome print of a red, sandy wetsuits hanging over wood fecing in the bed of a brown, striped truck. Signed on reverse.
Acetylene tanks behind fence, Oakland, Calif.
Image of a group of acetylene tanks near a construction sign behind fence; long shadows appear; signed and dated on reverse.
Political banner, Isla Vista, CA, 1974
Type C Print with a hand painted banner encouraging Isla Vista locals to vote for Omer Rains-Gary Hart, taped onto large box on the sidewalk. A girl stands on left with hand in motion; car windshield in lower left corner. Signed and dated on reverse.
Newspaper on side of building, Isla Vista, Calif. 1975
Image of a newspaper clip tacked onto wood; article entitled "Pets Are Messing Up the Economy," arguing against the inescapable expenses of domestic animals in the United States. Detailed line illustration embedded in text of a large scale dog urinating on the Capitol Building, small scale man stands below with cleaning materials. Signed and dated on the back of the photograph.
Fourteen sheet pen and colored ink drawing of a clown; firgure is standing with the right arm tapping the left; small hat atop slightly bald head, resting between curly hair on sides; body size increases around the legs and feet; socks are mismatched underneath large, round shoes. (a): 3/4 face view; (b): chin, neck and right shoulder; (c) left collar and shoulder; (d): bent right elbow; (e): right hand on left forearm; (f): shirt meets pant at top of right leg; (g):shirt meets pant at top of left leg; (h): mid right leg; (i): left knee; (j): patched pant leg above ankle; (k): left shin with background; (l): toes of right shoe; (m): right ankle and shoe heels; (n) left shoe.
Lazerian (aka Liam Hopkins)
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks such as a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup all of which later became part of the Norton Family Art Projects. Liam Hopkins, founder of Lazerian, takes his popular pop up dog and presents it as the 2016 Norton Christmas gift. The work arrives with a pop up dog (a) and a set of instructions which opens to reveal a photo array of pop up dogs (b).
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks such as a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup all of which later became part of the Norton Family Art Projects. In 2003, Lazzarini presents Teacup (with spoon and saucer) common household objects but thru manipulation of the media warps them into unlikely shapes. And at the same he incorporates common symbols of consumerism such as the MADE IN CHINA stamp on the underside of the cup and saucer. But he also put a chip in the rim of the cup suggesting its commonality although warpped; (a) Teacup; (b) Saucer; (c) (Spoon); on underside of cup and saucer -MADE IN CHINA stamp with Peter Norton Family Christmas Project; N1230.
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks such as a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup all of which later became part of the Norton Family Art Projects. In 2005, Christian Marclay who uses the cultural implications of music and sound in his sculptures and installation presented his Music Box which plays "Tinsel" - a seamless melodic loop without beginning or end that incorporates the gradual slowing of the unwinding mechanism.
Untitled (Spiral, Pop-up Photo Album)
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks such as a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup all of which later became part of the Norton Family Art Projects. The spiral as a conceptual archetype is a recurring theme in the work of the American artist Peter Coffin, such as in his 2006 commission for Peter Nortons annual Christmas gift. Taking the format of a common photograph album, Coffin organized a series of postcards depicting rainbows into a three-dimensional spiral forming one enormous rainbow. As you open the volume, the constellation of cards expands in an upward swirl of color and form.
Thru her work, Montilla explores three fundamental parts of who she is: her experience of being a woman and her feminist values; her feelings of acculturation from living in the US while maintaining her Spanish identity; and her opposition to consumerism and commitment to environmental sustainability. Montilla's practice uses installations, wood sculptures, and reclaimed and overlooked textiles, addressing themes of memory, transformation, adaptation, and identity through materials that have been discarded, deconstructed, and reconstructed. Acculturation relates to Montilla's series "Objectifying" which explores "the body in a sensual way through non-binary anthropomorphic forms made out of wood and second-hand garments. The series seeks to question tranditional gender divisions, as well as ways we are taught to view bodies, in order to create forms that reject convention and offer more releastic possibilities."
b. United States, 1978 Judy Glantzman is an American artist born in 1978. She is mostly known for her figurative and gestural paintings and drawings, however she also works with sculpture. The human figure is prominent in her compositions, which echo of de Kooning, Bacon and Baselitz by their elongated, distorted proportions. As exemplified by the sculpture in the AD&AM’s collection, Couple Seated, see link, where contorted figures are bent into a seat. Glantzman graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1978 with a BFA. Although she began learning artistic strategies from her mother, an abstract painter and trained interior designer, while at RISD her drawing teacher, Victor Lara, and painting teacher, Roland Belhumeur, are noted as prominent influences. In the 1980s she was a mainstay in the East Village art scene and was represented by Civilian Warfare and Gracie Mansion. She often exhibited and sometimes collaborated with David Wojnarowicz, Luis Frangella, and Mike Bildo. Since 2006, she has been represented by the Betty Cuningham Gallery. She has taught at RISD, New York Studio School, MICA, and Purchase College. Among the numerous awards she has received, a few are the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, Anonymous is a Woman Award, the New York Foundation for the Arts in Painting, and the Pollock Krasner Foundation. Bibliography: “Judy Glantzman.” Betty Cuningham Gallery. Accessed October 27, 2021. http://www.bettycuninghamgallery.com/artists/judy-glantzman. Samet, Jennifer. “Beer with a Painter: Judy Glantzman.” Hyperallergic, April 26, 2019. https://hyperallergic.com/497234/beer-with-a-painter-judy-glantzman/. Schwabsky, Barry “Judy Glantzman HIRSCHL & ADLER MODERN.” Art Forum, December 1997 https://www.artforum.com/print/reviews/199710/judy-glantzman-53129 Duncan, Michael. “Judy Glantzman at Betty Cuningham.” Art in America (1939) 95, no. 1 (2007): 140.
Five Easy Pieces: Hand Movie, Volleyball (foot film), Rhode Island Red, Trio Film, Line
Five Easy Pieces is a compilation of five of Yvonne Rainer's early short films made between 1966 and 1969; 16 mm film Yvonne Rainer made Hand Movie while confined to her hospital bed recovering from surgery. Characteristic of her minimal style, a single hand is presented against a plain background. The hand bends and twists, presenting all angles to viewers, and demonstrates the incredible flexibility of this body part. Vollyeball is a volleyball rolling into the frame and coming to a stop. Then, two legs, seen from the knees down and attired in sneakers, enter the frame and stand beside the volleyball. A new angle is then cut to, yet still featuring the same characters and actions. Rhode Island Red includes an interior of an enormous chicken coop, silently and in black and white. Trio is silent and in black and white. While in a white living room, a nude man and a nude woman interact with one another and a large ballon. Linen is a silent and black and white film, a blond woman (Susan Marshall) is dressed in white pants and a shirt. She interacts with a moving round object and the camera, itself.
Untitled (Woman with Chanel Compact) from Runway Portfolio
Gelatin silver print of a female holding up a Chanel compact standing in front of a curtain.
Untitled (Black Panther Eating)
Black bushstroke drawing depicting a panther eating red colored meat while grasping it with front paws; signed with chop mark at lower right.
This is the End: Our Closing Project in Three Parts
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks including a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup later becoming a part of the Norton Family Art Projets. It includes a 72 page book titled The End which details each of the releases as well a scorpion sculpture, postcard and electornic video book and earbuds.
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community and art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks including a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup all of which later became a part of the Norton Family Art Projets. Schama's tanagram puzzle was produced in 2016 and edited by Gwen and Peter Norton.
Once Again, But Different This Time: The Canasta Edition
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community includingart institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks including a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup later all later becoming a part of the Norton Family Art Projets. The case of cards included here include a silver and gold edition (a,b) housed in a plastic card case (c).
Brass and marble with bulb and electrical cord.
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks including a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup later becoming a part of the Norton Family Art Projets. Trophy Lamp includes a brass and marble lamp, brass insignia and a cup flanked by two winged animals.
ESHER GUNEWARDENA ARCHITECTURE
Ceramic, bronze, dried winter berry sprig
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community and art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks including a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup all of which later became a part of the Norton Family Art Projets. Comprised of an Ikebana kit, Esher Gunewardena created the Norton Gift for 2012 which included a staple bound instructional booklet on ikebana, a clay container and holder (b,c) by Gary Steinborn of Venice Clay, a bronze branch (a) made by Robert Wenzke of Artisan Bronze, a dried winter berry sprig.
Prints, photographs, stereoscopic viewer with wooden stand
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks including a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup all of which later became part of the Norton Family Art Projets. Humaliwo Chambers' offset lithographs are organized into portfolios (a-c) the images are designed to be viewed through a freestanding stereoscope located atop a wooden stand (d;e) and depict a series of interconnected underground spaces, entered through a portal on a hillside in Malibu, California. The various rooms, passageways, and the objects found evoke conflicting themes from European, Latin American and Indigenous forms and histories. (Humaliwo is the Chumash word from which Malibu is derived, and can be translated as "where the waves crash loudly.") While drawing from the traditions of archeological photography, the images are handcrafted in the artist's studio and reflect meditation of 10,000 years of California history. A Pez dispenser was included in honor of Pez Founder Curtis Allina's passing.
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks incluidng a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup all of which later became part of the Norton Family Art Projects. In Swanson's Bejeweled Antler, the artist combines his rural background of hunter and outdoorsman (antler) giving it an allure of glamour -- with rhinestones commenting on larger societal issues.
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks incluidng a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup all of which later became part of the Norton Family Art projects. For Cheshire Smile, Sanford Biggers references the infamous cat from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, who disappears after sharing riddles or koans (Buddhist paradoxes), leaving behind only his bodiless, floating grin. Biggers completed this work which features the light-up smile of the Chesire cat against a plain black background.
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks including a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup all of which later became a part of the Norton Family Art Projets. Housing a salt (a) and pepper (b) shaker, enclosed in a polka dot printed box (c), Katchadourian's objects represent the artist's ability to merge common place items within a different construct; the tiny spectacles of the salt shaker become a snow dome while the pepper becomes a repesentation of pollution, debris and ashes when turned upside. Both are housed in a carboard box decorated in polka dots.
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks including a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup all of which later became a part of the Norton Family Art Projets In this project, Suh continues exploring the cultural meaning of space by creating a vessel with an impression of his own outstretched hands offering creative energy as a gift. With this gesture of generosity, something ephemeral solidifies and something deeply personal becomes social. The vessel was hand blown by Punxsutawney Tile and Glass Company in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Wax print fabric, wood, metal and offset lithograph
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community and art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks including a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup later becoming a part of the Norton Family Art Projets. Shonibare's Dollhouse reflects the custom of the 17th and 18th century dollhouse which were frequently installed in the houses of the European wealthy and elite. Shonibare's is a replica of the 1872 Victorian town house in the East End of London were he now lives. As with many of his projects, Dutch wax print cloth figures prominently and the chairs and bed are covered in it; furniture was selected in various woods and styles to fill the rooms; (a) House; (b) Furnishings; stamped in blue on side of house artist's insignia.
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks including a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup, all of which later became part of the Norton Family Art Projets. Anna Gaskell's Untitled two part work revives the antiquated form of the "peep show", a toy like device resembling a private, miniature theater that was popular in the 19th Centery. The peep hole reveals a scene inside a mossy well inhabited by siren-like figures gesturing toward a floating body. Looking through the reverse, the figures returns the viewer's stare. Printed on the work is PNFCP, 2001, Anna Gaskell made by interusual communications, inc. The accordian camera is housed in a green case enclosed with a white ribbon; (a) Accordian camera; (b) Case with ribbon.
Beginning in 1988, the Norton Family sent a limited edition Christmas gift to a wide list of friends in the art community including art institutions. Commissioned by an artist, the gift encompassed a variety of multi-media artworks including a porcelain ashtray, a printed fan, a woven blanket, a lifesaver, a dollhouse and a crazy coffee cup all of which later became a part of the Norton Family Art Projets. In 2000, the Norton's presented Murakami's Oval which includes a cartoon-like character, Oval, a meditating figure loosely based on a Japanese Buddha sculpture. This four part work, consists of a figure sitting atop a cosmos ball, which is Murakamis name for the sphere covered with smiling flowers. The ball holds a CD with music composed and performed especially for this project by the Tokyo-based duo ZacYumiko. Printed on the circular base; PNFCP Christmas Project 2009, Takashi Murikami, music by Zakyumika, Hiropen factory.The artist is a best known member of a generation of Japanese Pop artists who emerged in the 1990s. (a) Head; (b) Upper body; (c) Lower body; (d) Saucer
Figure drawing, portrait of a man
Ink study portrait of a male gazing to the right.
Figure Drawing, Portrait of a Man
Ink study drawing of a bust portrait of a man; dated at lower right.
Ink study drawing of two women, one seated on the ground. The second is positioned in a chair wearing a striped shirt staring out to the left.
Hand with Ring, Hand with Bracelet
Ink study of two hands; one wearing a ring while the other is wearing a bracelet; signed and dated at lower right.
The Sierra to the Sea-IV: Winter Moonlight in the Redwoods-2
Ink drawing of wooden structures, fence with redwood trees and hills in the background; title and three-line poem at lower left; signature, date and chop mark at lower right.
The Sierra to the Sea-VIII: Frosty Dawn Near the Delta
Watercolor drawing of a lone bird flying over reeds and water with clouds in background; title and four-line poem in upper left.
The Sierra to the Sea: Table of Contents
Table of contents for the Sierra to the Sea, eleven original brush drawings of California subjects.
Screen: Two Deer and Autumn Oak Tree
Four panel folding screen enclosed in a black frame; highly stylized colored images of deer prancing around the base of an oak tree in full autumn bloom.
Christmas Greetings: Daikanso Series No. 3
Hand-colored ink on paper Christmas greeting with an image of an interior room with a Vista view; room is enclosed at left and right by Shoji screens; signed with chops marks at lower left.
Christmas Greetings: Daikanso Series No. 5, Light of Peace
Hand-colored ink on paper Christmas greeting with image of illuminated terrace and house; large tree at center right; signed with chops mark at lower right; interior printed text greeting.
Christmas Greetings: Daikanso Series No.7
Hand-colored ink on paper Christmas greeting with an image of an outdoor porch with plants, tiled flooring and a vista of trees illustrated on exterior; signed with chop marks at lower left; interior printed text greeting.
Christmas Greetings: Daikan So Series No. 4
Hand-colored ink on paper Christmas greeting; card includes an image of an outdoor porch with plants, tiled flooring and a vista of trees; cat sits on chaise lounge; signed and chop mark at lower right; printed text greeting on inside.
Oil on masonite painting; loosely constructed image of a female wearing a veil; image is signed at lower left.
Cote D'Ivoire, Grebo people
Wood and metal mask with large bell-shaped metal attachments along longer jaw; wide open moutn with slit eyes.
Wood funeral marker with rounded face and non-descript lower figure.
Stone figure of a Ngy female marker mounted on black base; facial features have worn and appear non-descript.
Shone man with modern abstract faces
Polished and soapstone of sculpted and modernized face.
Shone man with modern abstract face
Carved and polished soapstone sculpture of an abstracted face.
Democratic Republic of Congo, Yombe
Democratic Republic of Congo, Songye people
Royal woman sculpture with woman holding twins
Bronze sculpture of woman holding twins at sides.
Mozambique, Makonde people
Moping female figure sitting on a stool
Carved wood seated female figure with dark markings throughout her face and in between her breasts; female appears with human hair.
Carved wood ceremonial post with geometic forms and slight traces of paint.
Carved wood Kigango ceremonial post with carved geometic forms and slight traces of blue paint.
Sierra Leone, Mende people
Wood female initiation sculpture mounted on stone base with hands pointed downward and ringed neck.
Wood Sowei mask with feline animal features.
Sowei mask with raffia skirt which extends from base.
Brass palace plaque identified as coming from the Benin Kingdom; plaque includes four soldiers with helmets and shields.
Brass palace plaque identified as coming from the Benin Kingdom; plaque includes three soldiers wearing helmets and holding up sword-like weapons.
Brass palace plaque identified as coming from the Benin Kingdom; plaque includes three soldiers with helmets with centralized figure holding a pitch-fork like weapon.
Brass Oba spiritual figure; two piece sculpture embellisehed with faces and limbs positioned at various locations throughout.
Beaded Oba cape which fits loosely over shoulders and falls below the waist. Both front and back are embellisHed with colored beads forming a pattern of figures. Cape is paired with 2020.003.053.
Beaded textile Oba crown with three dimensional beaded figures throughout; long strings of beads descend from the lower edge of crown. Crown goes with robe, 2020.003.054.
Painted wood female figure breast feeding. Female is adorned with conical headdress extending from foreward to figure's back.
House post with male figure on horseback and seated female figure
Highly stylized house post with male figure on horseback and seated female figure.
Epa mask of female figure with Ibeji twins
Carved wood Epa mask of female figure flanked with Ibeji twins. The multicolored mask includes a base with cut out facial features allowing access when worn as a mask.
Carved metal sculpture extending into a snake form with a small human-like figure at base.
Carved wood figure of a standing male figure with elongated facial features.
Standing wood figure with extended belly button. Figure is wearing what appears a dark mask covering top portion of their face; palms are turned up.
Wood female figure mounted on black base. Carved figure has slightly bent arms and wears a mask with a pointed headdress etched with a vertical pattern.
Carved male figure standing mounted on black platform; figure is looking forward, arms bent at elbows; white residue appears on figure.
Standing female figure mounted on stepped black base; carved wood figure has elongated face with pointed head and extended belly button.
Vintage wool blanket woven in geometric patterns of browns, black and cream; fringe attached at ends.
Metal sword with shilled case in black leather and fringe.
Metal sword (a) in sheath (b) which has been woven into vertically placed stripes of white and black. Leather fringe hangs from sheath.
Brass sword housed in a leather case with triangular pattern of black and white.
Masquerade mask with raffia and shells
Purplish masquerade mask with raffia and shells; mask is woven in different styles with decorative circles indicating mouth and eyes.
Masquerade mask with raffia and shells; top of head is adorned with curvilinear crown embellished with blue and yellow beads.
Mazi maternity figure with body scarification
Wood Mazi maternity figure seated on a stool breast feeding an infant clenched between her knees.
Guinea-Bissau, Bidjogo people
Painted wood helmet mask with horns
Helmet mask with horns at left and right; triangular black form extends from forehead thru to snout of animal figure.
Helmet mask with horns at left and right; triangular white form extends from forehead thru snout of animal figure.
Carved wood female torso mounted on top of a vertical stand; female is clutching her breasts and is wearing a crown.
Painted wood bull helmet mask with horns
Painted wood bull helmet mask with horns extending from left and right of face. Black triangle positioned between eyes.
Timba drum with and two female figures and horse
Timba drum mounted on a female figure with horse; multicolored in reds and greens; drum is stretched with animal hide.
Wood, paint, animal hide, fabric and rope
Nimba ceremonial drum positioned atop a female who is kneeling and painted red.
Male figure with artiuclated face and beak-like nose identified as a Baga which are a West African ethnic group who live in the southern swampy lands of Guinea Atlantic coastline. Typically rural and known for their agricultural successes, particularly with rice farming, the Baga people speak a language of the Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo family. They are also known for their historic animist pieces of artwork. Known for their beauty and sophistication, these figures have been displayed and held at many major museums of the world. After independence, a totalitarian Marxist government took over Guinea in 1958. Its program of "demystification" lasted till 1984, destroying the traditional beliefs and ritual arts of the Baga people.
Figure of Esi Mansa mother and child
Ceramic figure of an Esi Mansa mother breast feeding an infant These maternity figures, are placed in cult shrines and are thought to enhance the fertility of women, give support during birth and ensure welfare and sufficient nourishment.
Cote d'Ivoire, Senufo people
Standing male figure: Poro Rhythm Pounder
Carved wood male Pombia 'rhythm-pounder' figure is used to commemorate recently deceased Poro elders during funerals, and to ensure their safe passage into the land of ancestors. This figure presents with elongated features and stands on a circular base reflecting self-control and containment, ideal behaviors and attributes of inner beauty rather than physical appearance. Paired female and male rhythm pounders were principally used during funerals. As the corpse was carried to the burial ground, elders would pound on the ground with the figures, ritually purifying the pathway for the deceased and calling ancestral spirits. Paired figures are emblems of marriage but may represent twins or primordial founding ancestors. Rhythm pounders are owned by a small subgroup of artisans, the Celibele, who make a living as rope makers and tanners.
Standing female figure: Poro Rhythm Pounder
Carved wood female Pombia 'rhythm-pounder' figure is used to commemorate recently deceased Poro elders during funerals, and to ensure their safe passage into the land of ancestors. This figure presents with elongated features and stands on a circular base reflecting self-control and containment, ideal behaviors and attributes of inner beauty rather than physical appearance. Paired female and male rhythm pounders were principally used during funerals. As the corpse was carried to the burial ground, elders would pound on the ground with the figures, ritually purifying the pathway for the deceased and calling ancestral spirits. Paired figures are emblems of marriage but may represent twins or primordial founding ancestors. Rhythm pounders are owned by a small subgroup of artisans, the Celibele, who make a living as rope makers and tanners.
Female figure: Poro Rhythm Pounder
Elongated carved wood female figure reflecting self-control and containment, ideal behaviors and attributes of inner beauty rather than physical appearance. Paired female and male rhythm pounders were principally used during funerals. As the corpse was carried to the burial ground, elders would pound on the ground with the figures, ritually purifying the pathway for the deceased and calling ancestral spirits. Paired figures are emblems of marriage but may represent twins or primordial founding ancestors. Rhythm pounders are owned by a small subgroup of artisans, the Celibele, who make a living as rope makers and tanners.
Cote d'Ivoire, Baule people
Female figure with elaborate headdress
Female figure standing and mounted on a clear plastic base. Female is highly polished wood wearing an elaborate headdress and ringed neck extending its height.
Carved wood standing female figure on bent knees.
Liberia, Kulango people
Bronze statue of a primordial male; figure appears to be seated with a triangular face; block -like legs and arms.
Bronze statue of a primordial female; figure appears to be seated with a triangular face; block -like legs and arms.
Standing wood male figure with beard
Standing wood figure with bent knees and beard.
Standing male figure identified as Border Patrol mounted on a black base. Male is wearing a red cap and red pants with yellow shirt with green accents.
Carved wood spoon with face like image at end of handle.
Carved wood "mouse oracle" with a single seated figure positioned on lid. Inside this receptacle, a device composed of sticks records the movements of mice as signs that reveal insights into matters of importance. Mouse divination is probably of Guro origin and is one of several divination techniques used in Baule society; it is practiced in eastern and central Ce d'Ivoire by Agni-speaking peoples, which include the Guro and Yaure. Regional oral traditions recount that in the distant past mice could speak. At that time they lived in the forest with the earth spirits (asye usu) until a spiritual specialist carried them into the village to be kept in captivity. Their natural proximity to the earth's surface and their ability to burrow beneath it permit mice to gain intimate access to the omniscient asye usu and the ancestors, thus enabling them to foretell events.
Ancestral couple: male figure with facial and body scarification
Carved wood male figure standing with bent knees. Male is holding his mid-section and appears to have body scarification.
Ancestral couple: female figure with facial and body scarification
Carved wood female figure standing on a wood base with bent knees grasping her mid section which encloses a circular motif; figure appears to have body scarification.
Standing male figure with beard, bended knees and facial scarification
Carved wood male figure kneeling on circular base with facial scarification; both arms are missing below shoulder.