Medicine man's bag, containing various gourds, horns, stones, rattle, knife, sticks etc., Congolese, 1880-1920

Made:
1880-1920

Woven fibre medicine man's bag, soft, with rounded base, cord handles woven into rim, containing various gourds, horns, stones, rattle, knife, sticks etc., Congolese, 1880-1920

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A657302
Materials:
fibre, gourd, horn, stone, wood and metal
Measurements:
height 320 mm
with handle: height 510 mm
diameter 75 mm
type:
medicine man's outfits
credit:
de Mery, D.

Parts

Plaited cane rattle, double ended, containers filled with seeds

Plaited cane rattle, double ended, containers filled with seeds

Medicine man's plaited cane rattle, double ended, two heads joined by central handle, like a dumbbell, open basketry, containers filled with seeds, good specimen

Measurements:
length 270 mm
container: diameter 82 mm
handle: diameter 19 mm
Materials:
cane and seeds
Object Number:
A657302 Pt1
type:
rattle
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Steel machette, wooden handle secured with cane twine, flat double cutting edge blade

Steel machette, wooden handle secured with cane twine, flat double cutting edge blade

Steel machette with wooden handle secured with cane twine, flat spatulate-type blade, double cutting edge

Measurements:
blade: length 180 mm
overall: length 334 mm
blade: width 72 mm
handle: diameter 31 mm
Materials:
steel , wood and cane, twine
Object Number:
A657302 Pt2
type:
machettes
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Three twisted gazelle horns, varying sizes

Three twisted gazelle horns, varying sizes

Three twisted gazelle horns, pointed tip, hollow, varying sizes, brown gellowing to tip

Measurements:
max: length 275 mm
min: length 163 mm
max: width 45 mm
Materials:
horn, gazelle
Object Number:
A657302 Pt3
type:
amulet and horn
Gazelle horn, from medicine man's bag

Gazelle horn, from medicine man's bag

Gazelle horn, from medicine man's bag

Materials:
horn
Object Number:
A657302 Pt3/1
type:
horns
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
A657302 Pt3
Gazelle horn, from medicine man's bag

Gazelle horn, from medicine man's bag

Gazelle horn, from medicine man's bag

Materials:
horn
Object Number:
A657302 Pt3/2
type:
horns
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
A657302 Pt3
Gazelle horn, from medicine man's bag

Gazelle horn, from medicine man's bag

Gazelle horn, from medicine man's bag

Materials:
horn
Object Number:
A657302 Pt3/3
type:
horns
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
A657302 Pt3
Five horns, two contain twigs and cloth

Five horns, two contain twigs and cloth

5 Small horns, conical, long pointed tips, two full of twigs, cloth etc., medicine, horns, brown

Measurements:
max: length 114 mm
min: length 63 mm
max: diameter 26 mm
min: diameter 16 mm
Materials:
horn, animal
Object Number:
A657302 Pt4
type:
amulet and horn
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Double gourd snuff box, fibre hanging loop

Double gourd snuff box, fibre hanging loop

Double gourd snuff box with fibre, loop for suspension, used by medicine man to hold materials other than snuff

Measurements:
height 94 mm
max: diameter 71 mm
min: diameter 33 mm
Materials:
gourd and fibre
Object Number:
A657302 Pt5
type:
snuff boxes
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Double headed gourd snuff box, contains fibre, elephant hair etc.

Double headed gourd snuff box, contains fibre, elephant hair etc.

Double headed gourd snuff box, brown, filled with fibre, elephant hair etc., medicine, once used for snuff

Measurements:
height 98 mm
max: diameter 63 mm
min: diameter 34 mm
Materials:
gourd , fibre and hair
Object Number:
A657302 Pt6
type:
snuff boxes
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Glass bead necklace threaded on plaited fibre

Glass bead necklace threaded on plaited fibre

Glass bead necklace threaded on plaited fibre, black and greenish-cream beads, loose ends

Measurements:
double: length 500 mm
beads: diameter 8 mm
Materials:
beads, glass and fibre
Object Number:
A657302 Pt7
type:
necklace
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Incomplete string of beads, assumed from necklace

Incomplete string of beads, assumed from necklace

Incomplete string of beads, probably from a necklace, three strands of white beads joined in three places with a larger red beads

Measurements:
length 255 mm
width 8 mm
Materials:
beads, glass and fibre
Object Number:
A657302 Pt8
type:
necklace
Hinged gourd container, crocodile skin cord hanging loop

Hinged gourd container, crocodile skin cord hanging loop

Gourd container globular with peaked top, lid cut out of gourd with jagged edge, hinged with crocodile skin cord loop for suspension, brown

Measurements:
height 108 mm
diameter 104 mm
Materials:
gourd , skin, crocodile and cord
Object Number:
A657302 Pt9
type:
container
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Lump of copal resin, translucent gum from tropical trees, plus thirty smaller lumps

Lump of copal resin, translucent gum from tropical trees, plus thirty smaller lumps

Lump of copal resin, translucent gum from tropical trees, thirty smaller lumps also included

Measurements:
max: length 85 mm
max: width 49 mm
max: width 62 mm
Materials:
copal
Object Number:
A657302 Pt10
type:
resin
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Wooden sticks, medicinal, five tightly bound bundles

Wooden sticks, medicinal, five tightly bound bundles

Bundles of five wooden sticks secured in tight formation by brass bands at either end, medicinal sticks

Measurements:
length 147 mm
diameter 28 mm
Materials:
wood and brass
Object Number:
A657302 Pt11
type:
sticks
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Four wooden sticks, hole near top for cord, one bound with copper coils

Four wooden sticks, hole near top for cord, one bound with copper coils

Four wooden sticks, cylindrical, perforated near top for insertion of cord, one bound with copper coils

Measurements:
max: length 85 mm
max: diameter 20 mm
Materials:
wood and copper
Object Number:
A657302 Pt12
type:
sticks
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
White glass bead bracelet on straw thong, bundle of three wooden sticks, coiled with brass, copper wire attached

White glass bead bracelet on straw thong, bundle of three wooden sticks, coiled with brass, copper wire attached

Glass bead (white) bracelet threaded on straw thong, small bundle of three wooden sticks coiled with brass and copper wire attached

Measurements:
double: length 170 mm
bundle: diameter 21 mm
Materials:
beads, glass , thong, straw , sticks, wood , coils, brass and coils, copper
Object Number:
A657302 Pt13
type:
bracelet - jewelry
Wooden peg with hole running through its length

Wooden peg with hole running through its length

Wooden peg with small hole running through its length, cylindrical, tapering to top

Measurements:
length 128 mm
base: diameter 22 mm
Materials:
wood
Object Number:
A657302 Pt14
type:
pegs
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Two dried fruits, both split open

Two dried fruits, both split open

Two dried fruits, resemble horse chestnuts, both split open, brown

Measurements:
max: length 53 mm
max: width 39 mm
31: width 31 mm
Materials:
fruits
Object Number:
A657302 Pt15
type:
fruits
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Stone, porous, with indentation, white

Stone, porous, with indentation, white

White lump of stone, fairly porous, indentation

Measurements:
approx: diameter 42 mm
Materials:
stone
Object Number:
A657302 Pt16
type:
stones
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Amulet case, leather, coiled leather bracelet and canvas bag attached

Amulet case, leather, coiled leather bracelet and canvas bag attached

Leather amulet case, square, tooled design on front, coiled leather bracelet and canvas bag attached, brown

Measurements:
case: length 26 mm
case: width 23 mm
case: depth 14 mm
bracelet, doubled: length 110 mm
bag: length 35 mm
bag: width 31 mm
bag: thickness 7 mm
Materials:
leather and canvas
Object Number:
A657302 Pt17
type:
amulet case
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Iron Flintlock Sideplate with Spring Mechanism for attaching to side of Flintlock Firearm

Iron Flintlock Sideplate with Spring Mechanism for attaching to side of Flintlock Firearm

Iron flintlock sideplate with spring mechanism for attaching to side of flintlock firearm, rusted

Measurements:
overall: 137 mm x 37 mm x 26 mm,
Materials:
iron and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
A657302 Pt18
type:
antique firearm , component and spring
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Arrowhead, steel, hollow shaft

Arrowhead, steel, hollow shaft

Steel arrowhead, pointed tip, shaped like a whaling hook, with hollow shaft

Measurements:
length 103 mm
width 28 mm
shaft: diameter 18 mm
Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A657302 Pt19
type:
arrowheads
Dried nut, honeycomb appearance, roughly ball shaped

Dried nut, honeycomb appearance, roughly ball shaped

Dried nut, honeycomb like fabric, roughly oval, grey

Measurements:
length 48 mm
diameter 40 mm
Materials:
nut
Object Number:
A657302 Pt20
type:
nuts
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Three bird's feet with curved pointed talons

Three bird's feet with curved pointed talons

Three small bird claws with curved pointed talons

Measurements:
max: depth 14 mm
max: length 44 mm
max: width 23 mm
Materials:
claw
Object Number:
A657302 Pt21
type:
animal claws
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Amuletic cloth bag full of medicine, fibre, grass, etc.

Amuletic cloth bag full of medicine, fibre, grass, etc.

Amuletic cloth bag full of medicine (fibre, grass, etc.) red cloth tied at neck with straw, shabby

Measurements:
height 185 mm
diameter 56 mm
Materials:
cloth and straw
Object Number:
A657302 Pt22
type:
bag - container and amulet
Cartridge case, brass, from Maxim gun

Cartridge case, brass, from Maxim gun

Brass cartridge case for a maxim gun, tubular, flanged base, hollow

Measurements:
length 50 mm
diameter 17 mm
Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A657302 Pt23
type:
cartridge case
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Dried leaf, folded longitudinally, very fragile

Dried leaf, folded longitudinally, very fragile

Dried leaf, folded longitudinally, pale beige, very fragile

Measurements:
length 155 mm
width 30 mm
width 32 mm
Materials:
leaf
Object Number:
A657302 Pt24
type:
leaves
Bundle of dried grass and sandy dirt

Bundle of dried grass and sandy dirt

Bundle of dried grass interspersed with granules of sandy dirt

Materials:
grass and dirt
Object Number:
A657302 Pt25
type:
grass
Long hide thong tied into bundle

Long hide thong tied into bundle

Long hide thong tied into bundle

Measurements:
tied: length 73 mm
tied: diameter 25 mm
Materials:
hide
Object Number:
A657302 Pt26
type:
thongs
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Carved wooden peg, cylindrical with waisted centre

Carved wooden peg, cylindrical with waisted centre

Carved wooden peg resembling a duffle coat button, cylindrical with waisted centre

Measurements:
length 52 mm
diameter 11 mm
Materials:
wood
Object Number:
A657302 Pt27
type:
pegs
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Two identical pieces of animal bone

Two identical pieces of animal bone

Two identical pieces of animal bone, resembles a cattles head with large horns

Measurements:
length 42 mm
width 20 mm
height 9 mm
Materials:
bone
Object Number:
A657302 Pt28
type:
amulet
Two leather amulet cases

Two leather amulet cases

Two leather amulet cases, attached to twisted leather bracelet, decorated with blue and yellow glass beads

Measurements:
case 1: length 30 mm
case 1: width 30 mm
case 1: depth 16 mm
case 2: length 41 mm
case 2: width 41 mm
bracelet, doubled: length 99 mm
Materials:
leather and beads, glass
Object Number:
A657302 Pt29
type:
amulet case
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Canvas bag, contains dried fruits, old beads, fragments of stones, shells, wood, metal, sand, etc.

Canvas bag, contains dried fruits, old beads, fragments of stones, shells, wood, metal, sand, etc.

Canvas bag, stitched along seams, resembles a small mail bag, contains various dried fruits, old beads, fragments of stones, shells, wood, metal, sand, etc.

Measurements:
length 350 mm
width 160 mm
Materials:
canvas , nuts , beads , stone , shell , metal , sand and wood
Object Number:
A657302 Pt30
type:
amulet case
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Dakka smoking pipe, twisted antelope horn, fired clay bowl

Dakka smoking pipe, twisted antelope horn, fired clay bowl

Dakka smoking pipe consisting of twisted antelope's horn with hole near tip for insertion of bowl stem (missing), fired clay bowl, pot-shaped hole running through centre

Measurements:
horn: length 320 mm
horn: width 49 mm
horn: depth 47 mm
bowl: height 29 mm
bowl: diameter 34 mm
Materials:
horn, antelope and clay, fired, bowl
Object Number:
A657302 Pt31
type:
smoking pipes
Medicine man's bag, Congolese, 1880-1920

Medicine man's bag, Congolese, 1880-1920

Woven fibre medicine man's bag, soft, with rounded base, cord handles woven into rim, for various gourds, horns, stones, rattle, knife, sticks etc., Congolese, 1880-1920

Measurements:
height 320 mm
with handle: height 510 mm
diameter 75 mm
Materials:
fibre
Object Number:
A657302 Pt32
type:
medicine pouch
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

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