Kuba sculptor carving a ndop, Mushenge, Congo (Democratic Republic)

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Object Details

Local Numbers: EENG-VI-16, 22.
General: Title source: Index card based on photographer's notes.
Local Note: Typed index card reads, "H 3 Kba. Kuba. Zaire, Mushenge. Sculptor carving an ndop, King figure, of Mbomboosh/Bom Bosh (reigned 1650) for sale to tourists. 11/1970. EE. neg.no. VI-16, 22." The card was written in 1977-79 by Archives staff using source provided by photographer.

Occupation: Artists
Topic: Vernacular architecture; Wood-carving; Tools; Headdresses -- headgear -- Africa; Clothing and dress -- Africa

See more items in: Eliot Elisofon Field collection; Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Congo (Democratic Republic) / EENG / 1970

Archival Repository: Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art

Type: Archival materials; Negatives (photographic); Black-and-white negatives; Negatives

Collection Citation: Eliot Elisofon Field Collection, EEPA 1973-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

Collection Rights: Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

Scope and Contents: The photograph depicts Kuba sculptor carving a smaller replica of a dynastic statue, ndop, representing MboMboosh (Bom Bosh, Mbopey a-Mbwoosh a-Ipok). The original was given in 1909, to the visiting Belgian minister Jules Renkin, and is now in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Westinghouse Film and traveled to Africa from October 26, 1970 to end of March 1971.

Collection Restrictions: Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.