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Hairpin

Kuba

Artwork Details

Hairpin
circa 1925
Kuba
brass
8 3/16 in x 1 1/2 in x 1 1/2 in (20.8 cm x 3.8 cm x 3.8 cm)
Museum Purchase made possible by the Friends of the Museum of Art
1984/2.23

On Display

Not currently on display

Description

Subject Matter:

Brass and copper hairpins were typically associated with a higher status. Often, they were worn through a dome shaped hat called a laket. A laket was also seen as objects of prestige and often worn by married men of the ruling class. Additionally, the geometric patterns on this particular hairpin are similar to patterns found on Kuba textile, basketry, sculpture, and female body scarifications. 

References:
Daniel Biebuyck, The Arts of Zaire, 1985
Georges Meurant, African Textiles from the Kingdom of Kuba, 1986
Roy Sieber, African Textiles and Decorative Arts, 1972
Jan Vansina, The Children of Woot, 1978

Physical Description:

Pin with designed bulb-like pinhead. Head of the pin is round with its base flowering into four round petal-like shapes. Wrapping around the middle portion of the pinhead is a geometric pattern. 

Usage Rights:

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