Kuba Hat
This hat is from the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After the completion of initiation rites, many Kuba men wear a simple cap on the crown of their head known as a laket. Lakets are woven from raffia fiber in a […]
Chupícuaro Tripod Bowl
Chupícuaro is a late Pre-Classic archaeological culture located in west central Mexico. It is best known for its bold polychrome ceramics like this tripod bowl, which dates to between 300 BCE and 400 CE. Chupícuaro pieces take a variety of forms including hollow figures, jars, […]
Middle Eastern Oil Lamp
Although we do not know its specific place of origin, this oil lamp is a typical product of the Late Antique eastern Mediterranean or Middle East. It dates to between the 4th and 7th century CE. It is about four inches long and would easily […]
Mporo Necklace
This mporo necklace was made by the Samburu people who live in north central Kenya, just above the equator. The Samburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists, moving frequently to allow their livestock to graze. They are closely related to the Maasai, who live further south, and speak […]
Philippine Betel Nut Box
For people in South and Southeast Asia and Oceania, chewing betel nut is a tradition dating back thousands of years. What is referred to as betel nut is actually a piece of nut from the areca palm dabbed with slaked lime and wrapped in a […]
Mithila Krishna Painting
Women in the Mithila region of southeastern Nepal and northeastern India have painted in a distinct style for centuries. Created with a variety of tools and natural dyes and pigments, the paintings are characterized by their bright colors, two-dimensional imagery, and geometrical designs. Artists avoid […]