Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: The Museum Year 2009
The Year
Acquisitions
Art of Asia, Oceania, and Africa: July 2008–June 2009
Hip ornament
Image: 111.8 x 13.3 cm (44 x 5 1/4 in.)
Brass beads strung on cotton string
Classification: Jewelry / Adornment
Culture: African, Nigeria, Verre peoples
Accession number: 2008.1512
Description: Worn by women on special occasions, this served as both display and repository of wealth. It was also used as currency for special transactions.
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