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Amulet Depicting Birds

A work made of brass.

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  • A work made of brass.

Date:

19th/mid–20th century

Artist:

Senufo
Côte d’Ivoire
Northern Africa and the Sahel

About this artwork

This small brass amulet consists of two frontal avian forms atop a rhombus. The birds are represented abstractly with flat, planar heads and long beaks; their tubular arms hold crosshatched rectangles. The very bottom of the rhombus has signs of crosshatching as well. Diviners in Senufo communities serve as intercessors between the human sphere and the natural world—sometimes perceived in terms of hostile nature spirits. The material realm is often employed in the form of small figurines or amulets like this one or in large wooden sculptures, to aid in the diviners’ efforts to establish bonds with the spiritual realm.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of Africa

Artist

Senufo

Title

Amulet Depicting Birds

Place

Côte d'Ivoire (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.

1800–1950

Medium

Brass

Dimensions

H.: 4.8 cm (1 7/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of the Britt Family Collection

Reference Number

1978.920

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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