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Hat

Arts of Africa

Mangbetu men and women of high status traditionally wore hats made of fiber with a circular base and a rectangular or hexagonal top. They were decorated with feathers, usually from birds found in the high forest areas, but occasionally from domestic fowl, as in this example.

CULTURE Mangbetu
MEDIUM Vegetal fiber, Guinea fowl(?) feathers
  • Place Made: Ubangi or Uele region, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    • DATES early 20th century
    DIMENSIONS 4 1/2 x 7 7/16in. (11.4 x 18.9cm) Other: 7 7/16in. (18.9cm)
    COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa
    ACCESSION NUMBER 31.1878
    CREDIT LINE Museum Expedition 1931, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Natural-colored in box weave with brown edging. Bunch of brown feathers with white and blue dots, attached with fiber loop. Condition: worn and brittle with extensive losses. Masking tape repairs on interior.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    RECORD COMPLETENESS
    Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and we welcome any additional information you might have.

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