Chief's Hat (Mpu)

NameHat

CultureKongo people

DateLate 19th century

Place madeZaire, Africa

(not assigned)Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa

MediumRaffia palm fiber

Dimensions14 × 6 1/2 in. (35.56 × 16.51 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of Lloyd E. Cotsen and the Neutrogena Corporation, A.1995.93.117

Object numberA.1995.93.117

Collections

DescriptionChief's Hat (Mpu); The hat has a tall cylindrical shape. It is composed of raffia palm fiber, knotted to create surface designs of an interweaving diamond lattice. Inside the larger diamond motifs there is a smaller diamond grid design. Both the crown and the rim are given a fine (crocheted?) stripe. Raised dots and stripes give texture to the overall design as well. Color: Natural medium tan (light brown) Technique: Knotting Note: This hat was formerly in the Hooper Collection (#1847A) and is published on page 400, of "Arts and Artifacts of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas- The James Hooper Collection", by Stephen Phelps Hutchison, London, 1976.