Armlet
1900-1920 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This armlet is made ca. 1900-1920 probably in Sudan and possibly the Fur people.
Sudan historically played an important role in the trading of ivory, gold and slaves. This armlet of elephant ivory may have been worn by a Fur man before being acquired by a British collector. The Fur are the largest ethnic group in the Darfur region of western Sudan.
Sudan historically played an important role in the trading of ivory, gold and slaves. This armlet of elephant ivory may have been worn by a Fur man before being acquired by a British collector. The Fur are the largest ethnic group in the Darfur region of western Sudan.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Elephant ivory with incised and drilled design |
| Brief description | Armlet, elephant ivory with drilled and incised design, Sudan (probably), 1900-1920 (possibly) |
| Physical description | Cuff of elephant ivory with incised lines at top and base of external face and drilled/incised design of dots-in-circles. Design worn away on one side suggesting evidence of wear. Darkening of ivory on internal face is said to be discoloration caused by contact with skin. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Edmond Dresden |
| Object history | Accessions register entry: 'Armlet carved from a section of elephant's tusk. / Narrowing towards the middle, it is decorated outside with alternate groups of forty-two, and of four, small incised circles filled in with a black composition; most of these have disappeared with wear. / Probably West African. / Diam about 3 ½ in., W. 1 7/8 in. / Bequest [Edmond Dresden]' |
| Summary | This armlet is made ca. 1900-1920 probably in Sudan and possibly the Fur people. Sudan historically played an important role in the trading of ivory, gold and slaves. This armlet of elephant ivory may have been worn by a Fur man before being acquired by a British collector. The Fur are the largest ethnic group in the Darfur region of western Sudan. |
| Bibliographic reference | Inventory of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1903 - 1904. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1904, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Wyman and Sons, Limited, 1908, p. 103 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 594-1904 |
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| Record created | June 10, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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