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Shrine Figure3455/2

Standing wood shrine figure. Body is rectangular in shape and has geometric and linear motifs incised on the front and sides. Hide collar, coloured black, wrapped around neck. Figure has a wide nose, pronounced brow and lips, and angular eyes. Has a ponytail that protrudes sharply from the back of the head. The end of ponytail connects to the figure's back. Lines incised on portions of hair overtop of head, hanging portion of ponytail is thin and smooth. There is a small gap between the ponytail and the back of the figure’s neck. Extending from all sides of the hide collar are strands of cowrie shells. Long strings of black, red and white glass beads are tied around the ponytail with light brown thread. Two copper coins and one small brass(?) bell are attached to the bead strings, hanging down the back of the figure. Plain brown tie, with knotted ends, is strung between the ponytail and the neck of the figure.

Culture
Yoruba
Material
wood, cowrie shell, brass metal ?, glass, skin, fibre, dye and copper metal
Made in
Nigeria
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Squid Net3393/6

A small cast net used for catching squid. The net is green with a fine, diamond mesh weave. A strand of plant fibre has been wound through the rim of the net's opening. Tied to this strand are four large, brown and cream cowrie shells. Holes have drilled through the tapered ends of the shells so as to attach them. A long, brown braided rope is tied to the opposite side of the net and is wrapped around itself in a loose coil.

Culture
Fijian
Material
synthetic fibre, plant fibre and cowrie shell
Made in
Fiji
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Baby Carrier3480/2

Goat hide baby carrier decorated with cowrie shells and trade beads. Carrier is rectangular with long, looped straps attached to the top corners, and shorter strands of hide extending from the bottom corners. Thin strip of hide tied through top straps, at ends. Exterior surface of strip is coloured red; front of hide carrier is red-brown, back is naturally coloured. Straps are covered in rows of alternating cowrie shells and dark blue glass beads. Fringe extends from the bottom edges of the straps, hanging overtop of the carrier body. Fringe is covered in white and dark blue beads. Upper half of carrier has a design of two square outlines. Borders made of rows of alternating cowrie shells and blue beads. Each square has a floral design in the upper corner, made of shells and beads. Hide tab underneath square motifs, with bead covered fringe along its bottom edge. Small cross, made of cowrie shells and beads, along bottom centre of carrier. Interior of carrier is undecorated.

Culture
Ethiopian ?
Material
goat skin, cowrie shell, glass and cotton fibre
Made in
Ethiopia ?
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Costume3473/1

Egungun costume. One-piece mask and costume; the cloth mask, with a circular frame, is made of black velvet-like material. Metallic, silver scalloped ribbons decorate the sides and back. The front of the mask is made of a cowrie shell embroidered mesh panel, with wide gaps between the rows where the eyes would be. In the centre of the mesh panel is a hanging strand of cowrie shells and painted beads, with a small bell at the end. Strand secured to panel with plant fibre. A small red, stuffed ball is attached to the bottom centre of the panel. Along the forehead of the mask, above the cowrie shells, is a wide curvilinear motif done in sequins and beads. Fabric covered square board is stitched to the top of the mask. It has a central floral motif and short brown fringe along its edges. Heavily beaded panels hang from all sides of the board- three on the front and each side, one along the back. Panels depict curvilinear, geometric and animal motifs in sequins and beads. Back panel has “AYÏBAMA” written across it. All are lined with orange cotton. Bottom of mask has a frilled collar. Collar made of dark green velvet-like material with metallic gold ribbons, red trim and thick white and red fringe. Underneath the collar, attached to the front and back of the mask, are two weighted bags. Extending from the bags are three layers of long lappets. The top layer is covered entirely in sequins and beads. The designs are geometric, animal and curvilinear. The second and third layers are made of velvet-like material and have geometric, linear and curvilinear motifs. All beaded lappets are trimmed with metallic red zigzag ribbons. First layer of velvet-like lappets are trimmed with silver zigzag ribbons, second layer trimmed with gold zigzag ribbons. All lappets are lined with machine-printed cotton that have frog designs across them. Underneath all of the lappets is a plain red cloth, trimmed with a black zigzag ribbon.

Culture
Yoruba
Material
wood ?, metal, plastic, cotton fibre, glass, plant fibre, cowrie shell and synthetic fibre
Made in
Oyo, Nigeria
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Tunic3420/53 a-b

Tunic (part a) and hat (part b). The large T-shaped tunic is made of a black fabric with beige and red applique. The tunic has large open sleeves. The sleeves, lower portion of skirt, and circular area around neck have the same repeating beetle-like design in beige with red dots throughout. Across the plain black section are rows of alternating red and beige dots. The hat is made of a dark navy fabric with beige and red applique, and cowrie embellishments on the sides. Composed of two pieces of fabric, semi-circular at the top, then tapering to a point at the bottom, edged and lined with red fabric.

Culture
Bamum
Material
fibre and cowrie shell
Made in
Cameroon
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Hunter's Tunic3420/45 a-b

Hunter's tunic (part a) with matching hat (part b). Tunic made of bright blue cloth. Rectangular black leather patches are attached all over, with long, thin strips of brown leather knotted to both sides, creating fringes. A few pieces are dyed red or green. White cowrie shells outline the neck, and are sewn in lines on the tunic. There is a five-sided pocket on the front, centre - with the three stitched edges lined in cowrie shells. The bottom edge is unfinished, and somewhat fringed from unravelling fabric. Small horns and small mirrors inset in leather are attached over the tunic. The woven hat has a circular mirror inset in leather between two curved horns at front, centre. A single row of cowrie shells lines the bottom edge.

Culture
Dogon
Material
wool fibre ?, fibre, skin, glass, metal, cowrie shell and horn
Made in
Bamako, Mali
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Hunter's Tunic3420/44 a-b

Hunter's tunic (part a) with matching hat (part b). Tunic made of brown cloth. Rectangular black leather patches are attached all over, with long, thin strips of leather knotted to both sides, creating fringes. White cowrie shells outline the neck, and are sewn in lines on the tunic. Small horns and small mirrors inset in leather are attached over the tunic. The woven hat has three black leather patches with long, thin leather strips knotted on either side, evenly spaced on sides and back. At front, centre - there is a circular mirror inset in leather between two small horns. A single row of cowrie shells lines the bottom edge.

Culture
Dogon
Material
wool fibre ?, skin, glass, metal, cowrie shell, horn and fibre
Made in
Bamako, Mali
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Hunter's Tunic3420/46

Hunter's tunic. Tunic made of dark brown cloth. Rectangular leather patches are attached all over, with long, thin strips of leather knotted to both sides, creating fringes. White cowrie shells outline the neck, and are sewn in lines on the tunic. Small horns, tufts of hair, and small mirrors inset in leather are attached all over the tunic.

Culture
Dogon
Material
hair, fibre, skin, glass, metal, cowrie shell and horn
Made in
Bamako, Mali
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Decorated Skull2748/6

Decorated skull covered in clay with tight curls of human hair. A red clay face, formed onto a toothless human skull and decorated with brown, beige, and reddish orange facial tattoo, has Cowrie shell eyes, three rows of brown seeds implanted at the hairline of long twisted black hair locks, and circular bone earrings tied into a hole in each ear.

Culture
Solomon Islands
Material
human bone, human hair, cowrie shell, clay, seed, paint, cotton fibre and bone
Made in
Solomon Islands
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Decorated SkullC624

Clay is molded over the skull to form facial features with cowrie shells used for the eyes. Decorated with dark brown-black curled human hair. Mostly red with some black paint used to accentuate and to decorate the facial features with circular lines, curvi-linear lines, and large dots. Twisted corded fibre is attached through and around the ears.

Culture
New Guinea
Material
human bone, cowrie shell, human hair and clay
Made in
Papua New Guinea
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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