Headpiece (nlo-o-ngo)

early 1900s

Africa, Central Africa, Gabon, Fang style, unknown maker

Medium

Plant fibers, cloth, hair, cowrie shells, buttons, upholstery studs, and thread

Measurements

Overall: 15.2 x 17.8 x 20.3 cm (6 x 7 x 8 in.)

Credit Line

The Harold T. Clark Educational Extension Fund 1976.1057

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

Sculptors depicted these characteristic headpieces and coiffures in figurative works that guarded the remains of ancestors.

Description

This headpiece (nlo-o-ngo) was made to look like a similarly shaped hairstyle. While the coiffure gained height from inserts tucked under the hair, here the underlying basket was woven into a central ridge. Plant fibers were woven or braided to mimic hairstyling techniques. Rarely removed, the hat gave the appearance of elaborately styled and decorated hair. Three rows of cowries around the band evoke a shell or bead headband, while the metal furniture tacks are the same as would have been inserted into the hair. Existing in many styles, men or women wore these wiglike headdresses to signify status, group identity, or social roles.