Magnificent Gifts for the 75th

February 13, 2010— April 4, 2010

African Collection

We were attracted to the power and beauty—these pieces really do speak.
–Adele and Donald Hall

Seven extraordinary works of art from Africa, promised gifts from Adele and Donald Hall, will transform the African collection in a single stroke. The boldly carved and highly polished Luba Headrest and the Punu Female Spirit Mask are but two of the exquisite works on view. In addition, Magdalene Odundo’s ceramic vessel, a promised gift from Estelle and Morton Sosland, embodies both contemporary elegance and the rich traditions of Odundo’s African heritage.

Click here to read more about the promised gift of African art from Adele and Donald Hall.

Female Spirit Mask
Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Gabon, Punu peoples
19th century
Wood and pigment
Promised gift of Adele and Donald Hall in honor of the 75th anniversary of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 10.2007.1

Personal Shrine Figure
Nigeria, Igbo peoples
ca. 1900
Wood and pigment
29 ½ x 9 ¾ x 10 ¼ inches
Promised gift of Adele and Donald Hall in honor of the 75th anniversary of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 12.2001.9.


Headrest
Attributed to the Master of the Cascade Coiffure Democratic Republic of the Congo
Luba peoples, Shankadi subgroup
Late 19th–early 20th century
Wood, glass beads and copper
Promised gift of Adele and Donald Hall in honor of the 75th anniversary of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 14.2010.2