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Hairpin

Arts of Africa

Ivory’s value results from its scarcity, as well as its association with the elephant, a symbol of power and strength. Ivory bracelets, decorated with engraved designs, were made by the Fur of the Darfur region of Sudan and traded as far as Eritrea and the Republic of the Congo. Hairpins from the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are worn by both men and women to hold hats and ornate hairstyles in place. These hairpins are particularly ostentatious, since each is made from a large piece of ivory, most of which is carved away.
CULTURE Mangbetu
MEDIUM Ivory
DATES 19th century
DIMENSIONS 7 in. (17.8cm) Other: 7 in. (17.8cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER 31.2036.1
CREDIT LINE Museum Expedition 1931, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Hairpin in one piece with a traditional shaft: one end comes to a point; the other is a flattened ball which is decorated with incised crosshatching. Condition: Good, worn.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Mangbetu. Hairpin, 19th century. Ivory, 7 in. (17.8cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1931, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 31.2036.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 22.747_22.705_31.2036.1_or_31.2036.2_22.749_22.707_22.692_22.691_22.912_bw.jpg)
IMAGE group, 22.747_22.705_31.2036.1_or_31.2036.2_22.749_22.707_22.692_22.691_22.912_bw.jpg.
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Mangbetu. <em>Hairpin</em>, 19th century. Ivory, 7 in. (17.8cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1931, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 31.2036.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 22.747_22.705_31.2036.1_or_31.2036.2_22.749_22.707_22.692_22.691_22.912_bw.jpg)