Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: The Museum Year 2009
The Year
Acquisitions
Art of Asia, Oceania, and Africa: July 2008–June 2009
Implement
Image: 10.2 x 16.5 x 28.9 cm (4 x 6 1/2 x 11 3/8 in.)
Brass; lost-wax process
Classification: Tools & equipment
Culture: African, Nigeria, Verre and related peoples
Accession number: 2008.1510
Description: This two-piece tool is a realistic representation of a hoe used in agricultural cultivation, probably more ceremonial than utilitarian. Because it contains and represents wealth and prestige, it may also have been used as currency.
Provenance/Ownership History: About 2002, acquired from an African merchant, New York by Professor Dwight B. Heath, Providence, RI; 2008, gift of Dwight B. Heath and Anne C. Heath in memory of their son David to the MFA. (Accession date: December 17, 2008)
Gift of Dwight B. and Anna Cooper Heath, in memory of their son, David B. Heath