Swahili. Pair of Sandals, late 19th century. Wood, A: 4 × 3 1/2 × 9 11/16 in. (10.2 × 8.9 × 24.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X1054a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , X1054a-b_SL3.jpg)
Swahili. Pair of Sandals, late 19th century. Wood, A: 4 × 3 1/2 × 9 11/16 in. (10.2 × 8.9 × 24.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X1054a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, X1054a-b_transpc001.jpg)
Pair of Sandals
Arts of Africa
These sandals, carved entirely out of wood, have a remarkable incised geometric pattern covering their surfaces—an example of Swahili artists’ adaptation of Islamic design motifs circulating in East Africa along the Indian Ocean coast. A label on the underside of one sandal suggests that this pair may have once belonged to Fumo Omari, a sultan of the coastal state of Witu between 1890 and 1894.
CULTURE
Swahili
MEDIUM
Wood
DATES
late 19th century
DIMENSIONS
A: 4 × 3 1/2 × 9 11/16 in. (10.2 × 8.9 × 24.6 cm)
B: 3 3/4 × 3 1/2 × 9 11/16 in. (9.5 × 8.9 × 24.6 cm) (show scale)
INSCRIPTIONS
On the underside of the left sandal, in black ink: "Sandals formerly the property of FUM OMARI the rebel Chief of WITU". A small octagonal paper label is adhered to the heel block with the words "African" written in pencil and "Swahili" written in blue ink.
COLLECTIONS
Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER
X1054a-b
CREDIT LINE
Brooklyn Museum Collection
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Pair of sandals carved of tan/brown color wood block, with a lath spindle-like toe grip (knob) of a darker chocolate brown wood that is pegged into the front section of the sandal block. A slim wedge has been driven into the peg which can be seen from the underside. Condition: both sandals are in fair and stable condition. There are several small chip losses at the edges of the sandal blocks and at several of the ridges of the spindle spool. Cracks along the woodgrain are decernible on the undersides of both sandals. Accumulations of dust in the recesses of the carved design areas.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Swahili. Pair of Sandals, late 19th century. Wood, A: 4 × 3 1/2 × 9 11/16 in. (10.2 × 8.9 × 24.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X1054a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , X1054a-b_SL3.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, NP recommended; casted transparency, X1054a-b_SL3.jpg., 2017
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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