Cosmos Diary

A blog by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and partners in conjunction with the “African Cosmos: Stellar Arts” exhibition opening in June 2012.

Untitled, Gavin Janjtes, South Africa, 1990; National Museum of African Art collection

City in the Moon, Adebisi Fabunmi, Nigeria, 1960’s; National Museum of African Art collection

Kifwebe moon mask, Songye, Democratic Republic of the Congo, early-mid 20th century; National Museum of African Art collection

Thunder Diety Staff, Yoruba, Nigeria; National Museum of African Art collection

Helmet Mask, Tetela or Songye, Democratic Republic of Congo, early 20th century; National Museum of African Art collection

Post, Tsogo or Sango, Gabon, early-mid 20th century; National Museum of African Art collection

Lidded bowl, Areogun of Osi Illorin, Ekiti, Nigeria, late 19th-mid 20th century; National Museum of African Art collection

Bowl, Luba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, late 19th- early 20th century; National Museum of African Art collection

Top, Nommo Stool, Dogon, Mali, late 19th- early 20th century; National Museum of African Art collection

Bottom, female figures, ere ibeji with beaded cover, Yoruba, Nigeria, early-mid 20th century; National Museum of African Art collection

Top, Eshu staff, Yoruba, Nigeria, mid 20th century National Museum of African Art collection

Bottom, female figure, Yoruba, Nigeria National Museum of African Art collection

Top, Untitled, Garth Erasmus, South Africa, 1956; National Museum of African Art collection

Bottom, Beaded Tunic, Yoruba, Nigeria, early 20th century; National Museum of African Art collection

Wrapper with adinkra patterns, Asante, Ghana, mid-late 19th century (National Museum of African Art collection)

Kanaga mask, Dogon, Mali, mid 20th century (National Museum of African Art collection)

Bedu moon mask, Nafana, Ivory Coast, mid 20th century (National Museum of African Art collection)

Soul washer's disc, Akan, Ghana, late 19th- early 20th century (National Museum of African Art collection)