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LicenseSet of six divination bones. Mashukalumbwe, Africa, 1880-1920
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Set of six divination bones, carved in form of fish with familiar ring and dot design, Mashukalumbwe, Africa, 1880-1920
Divination diagnoses the cause of illness in many African communities. These bones would be cast onto a mat and the diviner would interpret the pattern. The bones are carved into the shape of fish. They are decorated with a ring and dot designs widely used in Zambia.
Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A195114
- Materials:
- bone
- Measurements:
-
overall: .076 kg
overall (largest item, lying flat): 11 mm x 93 mm x 22 mm, 0.022 kg
- type:
- divination set
- credit:
- Sothebys
