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Armlet (Gungulu)

Date:

Late 19th/early 20th century

Artist:

Gurunsi
Burkina Faso
Northern Africa and the Sahel

About this artwork

The Gurunsi encompass many cultural groups who are linked through their use of the common Gur language. Ivory armlets (gungulu) are worn by Gurunsi women in the Upper Volta region of present-day Burkina Faso. The Gurunsi treat repairs as an opportunity to enhance the design, as seen in the delicate iron tabs on this armlet. This piece, formed lengthwise from the hollow segment of the tusk, is composed of a curved rectangular section with a central hole that would have exposed the skin of the wearer.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Gurunsi

Title

Armlet (Gungulu)

Place

Burkina Faso (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1867–1933

Medium

Ivory and iron

Dimensions

11.4 × 22.2 × 5.1 cm (4 1/2 × 8 3/4 × 2 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Paula Zurcher in memory of Elizabeth Paepcke

Reference Number

1999.828

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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