Intersections

Memory and Cosmology

Peoples throughout the world have devised complex and useful visual systems for recording and transmitting their traditions and beliefs. Each of the objects in this group played a part in activating memory or cosmology for critically important social situations and for ensuring cultural continuity. Among the Maya, for example, hieroglyphic writing was merged with visual imagery to communicate important dynastic information. In other cultures, systems of graphic inscription were developed for many purposes, including the transmission of calendrical and cosmological knowledge for divination or forecasting events. Additionally, motifs on many works of art serve to recall stories for retelling in the present through oral narratives and performances that keep traditions alive.

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    The Forbidden Tree of Lawe's Parotia, Ömie Mountains, and Beaks of Blyth's hornbill (Mairi'e keke 'oho' darohu'e, buboriano'e)

    X2011.11.1 The Forbidden Tree of Lawe’s Parotia

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    Object Name: The Forbidden Tree of Lawe’s Parotia, Ömie Mountains, and Beaks of Blyth’s hornbill (Mairi’e jeje ‘oho’ darohu’e, buboriano’e)

    Artist: Ivy-Rose Sirimi (b. 1974)

    Culture: Ömie peoples

    Place of Origin: Duharenu Village, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea

    Date/Era: 2009

    Dimensions: 153 x 77 cm

    Medium/Materials: Bark fiber, natural pigment

    Credit Line: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Purchased by the Fowler Textile Council.

    Accession Number: X2011.11.1

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    X63.671 Ceremonial house painting

    Ceremonial house painting
    Wom, Lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
    Circa 1963
    Sago palm spathe, pigment, plant fiber
    Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. George Kennedy. X63.671

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    X65.4375 Miniature mask

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    Miniature mask
    Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
    19th-early 20th century
    Wood, pigment, shell, plant fiber, seeds
    X65.4375, Gift of the Wellcome Trust

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    X65.5296 Ceremonial house board

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    Ceremonial house board
    Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea
    19th-20th century
    Wood, pigment
    X65.5296; Gift of the Wellcome Trust

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    X65.5664 Calendrical/divination devices

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    Calendrical/divination devices
    Batak peoples, Sumatra, Indonesia
    19th-early 20th century
    Bone, pigment
    X65.5664, Gift of the Wellcome Trust

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    X65.7489 Bow stand

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    Bow stand
    Luba peoples
    Katanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Mid to late 19th century
    Wood
    H: 73.5 cm, W: 19.0 cm, D: 11.0 cm (H: 28.9 in, W: 7.4 in, D: 4.3 in)
    Gift of the Wellcome Trust. X65.7489

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    X65.7779 Miniature mask

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    Object Name: Miniature mask

    Artist: Unknown

    Place of Origin: Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

    Date: 19th-early 20th century

    Dimensions: H: 13.50 cm, W: 5.50 cm, D: 4.00 cm

    Materials Used: Wood

    Credit Line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of the Wellcome Trust. X65.7779

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    X65.7781 Miniature mask

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    Object Name: Miniature mask

    Artist: Unknown

    Place of Origin: Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

    Date: 19th-early 20th century

    Dimensions: H: 13.50 cm, W: 6.50 cm, D: 4.00 cm

    Materials Used: Wood, seeds

    Credit Line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of the Wellcome Trust. X65.7781

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    X65.8018 Calendrical/divination device

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    Calendrical/divination device
    Batak peoples
    Sumatra, Indonesia
    19th-early 20th century
    Bone and pigment
    L: 37.5 cm, W: 4.5 cm, H: 5.0 cm (L: 14.7 in, W: 1.7 in, H: 1.9 in)
    Gift of the Wellcome Trust. X65.8018

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    X67.7 Bark painting

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    Bark painting
    Artist: Dawidi
    Arnhem Land, Northern Australia
    1960’s
    Bark and pigment
    H: 94.0 cm, W: 46.0 cm, D: 7.5 cm (H: 37.0 in, W: 18.1 in, D: 2.9 in)
    Museum purchase. X67.7

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    X70.646 Divination Tray

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    Divination Tray
    Nigeria
    Yoruba peoples
    Wood
    19th century
    D: 38 cm (D: 14.9 in)
    Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of the Ralph B. Lloyd Foundation. X70.646

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    Wood, pigment, and hide Asante Drum (ntan)

    X78.136 Drum (ntan)

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    Object Name: Drum (ntan)

    Artist: Osei Bonsu (1900-1977)

    Culture: Asante peoples

    Place of Origin: Kumasi, Ghana

    Date/Era: Circa 1935

    Medium/Materials: Wood, pigment, hide

    Dimensions: H: 111.7 cm (H: 43.9 in)

    Credit Line: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of Dr. Donald Suggs.

    Accession Number: X78.136

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    X81.24 Divination device

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    Object Name: Divination device

    Artist: Unknown

    Place of Origin: Tibet

    Date: Late 19th century

    Dimensions: H: 30.50 cm, W: 27.50 cm, D: 2.00 cm

    Materials Used: Copper

    Credit Line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Koshler. X81.24

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    X91.616 Calendrical/divination device

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    Calendrical/divination device
    Batak peoples
    Sumatra, Indonesia
    19th-early 20th century
    Bone and pigment
    L: 37.0 cm, W: 4.5 cm, D: 5.0 cm (L: 14.6 in, W: 1.7 in, D: 1.9 in)
    Fowler Museum at UCLA. The Jerome L. Joss Collection. X91.616

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    X91.632 Ceramic vessel

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    Ceramic vessel
    Maya
    Yucatan, Mexico
    Classic Period, 250-900 C.E.
    Ceramic
    H: 16.0 cm, Diam: 16.2 cm (H: 6.3 in, Diam: 6.4 in)
    Anonymous gift. X91.632

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    X99.26.10 Pot lid

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    Object Name: Pot lid

    Artist: Unknown

    Cultural Group: Woyo peoples

    Place of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola

    Date: Late 19th-early 20th century

    Dimensions: H: 5.60 cm, DIAM: 17.80 cm

    Materials Used: Wood

    Credit Line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Museum Purchase with funds provided by Jay T. Last. X99.26.10

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    X99.26.24 Pot lid

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    Object Name: Pot lid

    Artist: Unknown

    Cultural Group: Woyo peoples

    Place of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola

    Date: Late 19th-early 20th century

    Dimensions: H: 5.00 cm, DIAM: 15.00 cm

    Materials Used: Wood

    Credit Line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Museum Purchase with funds provided by Jay T. Last. X99.26.24

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    X99.26.28 Pot lid

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    Object Name: Pot lid

    Artist: Unknown

    Cultural Group: Woyo peoples

    Place of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola

    Date: Late 19th-early 20th century

    Dimensions: H: 5.70 cm, DIAM: 16.50 cm

    Materials Used: Wood

    Credit Line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Museum Purchase with funds provided by Jay T. Last. X99.26.28

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