Head

Acquired by Lester Wunderman (New York, NY) between January 1957 [1] and May 1962 (when he made contact with UW–Madison staff about the collection) from an as-yet unknown European source; July 1962, given by Lester Wunderman to the University of Wisconsin–Madison; 1967, transferred to UW–Madison’s Elvehjem Art Center (now called the Chazen Museum of Art). [Last researched by Chazen staff 4/28/2023] [1] when he first began collecting African art, according to the preface of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s catalogue "Art of the Dogon: Selections from the Lester Wunderman Collection"

• Negro Heritage: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 11/1/1968–6/11/1969

A carving, made entirely of wood, depicts a head wearing a hat and collar which sits atop a post. The face has painted half-moon eyes, a flat triangular nose, and an open mouth with pointed teeth. A thick, vertical black line is painted above the nose and joins horizontal black lines which form eyebrows. Geometric patterns are incised above each eye and on each cheek. Atop the head is a tall tapered hat decorated with rows of carved cowrie shells. A wide cylindrical collar carved with a grid pattern sits below the mouth. The top lip of the collar is studded with carved claw-shaped protrusions, strung like beads. Below the collar a conical base extends into a short post.

• Africa
• Sculpture
• Alt Text Accessible

The Chazen Museum of Art welcomes comments or inquiries about works in our collection. Please allow two–three weeks for a response. Chazen staff is not able to provide valuations or authentications and such inquiries cannot be answered.