Research Catalog

[Melville J. and Frances S. Herskovits collection]

Title: [Melville J. and Frances S. Herskovits collection] [realia].
Author: Herskovits, Melville J. (Melville Jean), 1895-1963.
Publication: 1920-1986.

Available Online

NYPL Digital Collections

Details

Additional Authors

Herskovits, Jean.

Found In

(CstRLIN)NYPG085000078-F
(CstRLIN)NYPW090000019-A

Description

98 textiles.
1 lock.
8 paintings.
12 staffs.
10 pipes.
7 gold implements.
2 charms.
20 tools.
58 combs.
1 neckrest.
18 drums.
5 ornaments.
5 games.
13 musical instruments.
1 ivory.
30 stools.
110 goldweights.
52 masks.
8 weapons.
28 baskets.
11 heads and busts.
117 utensils.
165 figures.
84 calabashes.

Summary

The Melville and Frances Herskovits Collection is one of the most comprehensive ethnographic collections documenting African and African American culture. The collection is comprised of 945 items such as masks, statues, household utensils, tools, weapons, furniture, musical instruments, gold weights, games, costumes, textiles, several maps and paintings etc. Most items are primarily from West Africa and Surinam in South America. There are also some materials from the Caribbean and the United States. The collection is organized by geographical region, culture area and object type. Objects contained in the collection are from the following countries: Nigeria, Zaire, Liberia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Angola, Sierra Leone, African Central Republic, Cameroon, Benin, Mali, Burkina Faso, Kenya and Surinam and Haiti. Ethnic groups represented are the: Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Fulani, Ijo, Pende, Kuba, Mangbetu, Dan, Ashanti, Akan, Ewe, Senufo, Baule, Chokwe, Mossi, Masaii, Ramileke, and the Bamana.

Donor/Sponsor

Schomburg NEH Automated Access to Special Collections Project.

Subject

Note

Field notes separated to Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Book Divisionand are described separately.
Photographs separated to Photographs and Prints Division.

Access (note)

Access to the collection is by appointment only and is restricted to qualified and experienced researchers.

Cite As (note)

From the collection of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library, Astor Lenox & Tilden Foundation, Arts & Artifacts Division.

Terms of Use (note)

Works from the collection may be borrowed for exhibition purposes. Photography of art or artifacts in the collection is prohibited. In most instances, prints of collection items are available for sale to researchers. Permission for loans and to reproduce prints for publication must be obtained in writing.

Linking Entry (note)

Forms part of the African Art and Artifacts Collection.

Contents

Item level.

Call Number

Sc Art ([Melville J. and Frances S. Herskovits collection)

OCLC

NYPG087000001-F

Author

Herskovits, Melville J. (Melville Jean), 1895-1963.

Title

[Melville J. and Frances S. Herskovits collection] [realia].

Imprint

1920-1986.

Access

Access to the collection is by appointment only and is restricted to qualified and experienced researchers.

Cite As:

From the collection of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library, Astor Lenox & Tilden Foundation, Arts & Artifacts Division.

Terms Of Use

Works from the collection may be borrowed for exhibition purposes. Photography of art or artifacts in the collection is prohibited. In most instances, prints of collection items are available for sale to researchers. Permission for loans and to reproduce prints for publication must be obtained in writing.

Linking Entry

Forms part of the African Art and Artifacts Collection.

Connect to:

NYPL Digital Collections

Added Author

Herskovits, Jean. col.

Found In:

(CstRLIN)NYPG085000078-F

(CstRLIN)NYPW090000019-A

Research Call Number

Sc Art ([Melville J. and Frances S. Herskovits collection)

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