Dance Headdress with Hare Crest (Sibondël), Baga, 20th Century, Republic of Guinea, Wood with pigment, 26 x 19 in. Gift of Arthur I. Appleton.
Face mask, Dan Cultural Group, Côte d’Ivoire, Late 18th or early 19th Century, Wood with woven plant fiber, 12 x 10 x 6 in. Museum purchase funded by Arthur I. Appleton.
Maiden Spirit Dance Regalia (Agbogo Mmuo), Nigeria, Igbo (Ibo), 20th Century, Carved wood with pigments and fabric, 67 x 22 1/2 x 10 in. Museum purchase funded by Arthur I. Appleton.
Helmet Mask (Wanyugo), Senufo, n.d., Côte d’Ivoire, Carved wood with pigment, 15 1/8 x 29 x 11 1/2 in. Gift of Arthur I. Appleton.
Prestige Stool with Female Support, Luba, Democratic Republic of Congo, 19th or 20th Century, Wood, 17 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 10 in. Gift of Arthur I. Appleton.
Ceremonial Ladle (Wakemia or Wunkirmian), Dan, 20th Century, Côte d’Ivoire, Wood, 19 3/4 x 4 3/8 x 2 1/4 in. Museum purchase funded by Arthur I. Appleton.
Female figurine (waka snan), Côte d’Ivoire, Baule or Akan, 19th Century, Wood, 18 1/2 x 6 x 6 1/8 in. Gift of Arthur I. Appleton.
Much of the African collection was from the collection of the late Dr. Victor David DuBois (1932-1983). DuBois spent his career working for the United States government in Africa and built the collection over his many years of service. After DuBois died at the age of 51, Mr. Appleton purchased much of his collection. The pieces primarily represent West African cultures, and many were obtained in the field directly from the people who made and used them. Some notable pieces include a Hare Dance Crest (Sibondël) by the Baga, extraordinary Ibo dance regalia (Agbogo Mmuo) and a rare Yoruba Gelede mask.