Purvis Art Collection - African and Southeast Asian Art
Title
Purvis Art Collection - African and Southeast Asian Art
Subject
Art, African
Art, Asian
Description
The Purvis Art Collection is a special collection of twenty-six pieces of African and Asian art donated to Harcum College by George Purvis. Materials range from bronze, iron, wood, and fiber.
A highlight of the collection is the antique power figure or Nkisi from the Congo (formerly Zaire). The piece likely originates with the Songye or BeSongye people in eastern Congo, Central Africa. The statue stands 154cm (61in) and is composed of a mixture of wood, iron, fiber, textile, glass, shells, and feathers. The figure has a mirrored protrusion or receptacle in which objects would be stored that would give the figure its power.
The majority of the pieces are from West Africa but some pieces are of Asian origin such as the Antique Wooden Santos Statue of St. Rocco, Philippines.
Select pieces are frequenly on display in the Charles H. Trout Library Rotunda. Access to the collection is by appointment.
Browse the items in the collection below.
A highlight of the collection is the antique power figure or Nkisi from the Congo (formerly Zaire). The piece likely originates with the Songye or BeSongye people in eastern Congo, Central Africa. The statue stands 154cm (61in) and is composed of a mixture of wood, iron, fiber, textile, glass, shells, and feathers. The figure has a mirrored protrusion or receptacle in which objects would be stored that would give the figure its power.
The majority of the pieces are from West Africa but some pieces are of Asian origin such as the Antique Wooden Santos Statue of St. Rocco, Philippines.
Select pieces are frequenly on display in the Charles H. Trout Library Rotunda. Access to the collection is by appointment.
Browse the items in the collection below.
Creator
Purvis, George
Date
Late 19th century to 1989
Rights
Copyright held by creators. Collection items are available for reproduction, but the library makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions.
Type
Sculptures
Figurines
Paintings
Textiles
Metalworks
Identifier
Purvis001-031
Collection Items
Tall Female Statue
Tall female figure likely from the Ivory Coast region. The statue shows scarification on the back, chest, abdomen, face, and neck. A high coiffure. Wooden figure on a round base. The object is reminiscent of Baule spirit wives however, this statue…
Power figure, Songe, Congo
The Nkisi or power figures of the Congo are objects which a spirit inhabits. They were created by sculptors and spiritual leaders to protect, bring success, promote fertility and overcome enemies. Large ones like this were created to protect a…
African Art Syle Painting
Entitled "African Sculputre in Perspective" by Heidi Vries, a Swedish artist living in Kenya. Ceramic pain on hard board. Purchased in Kenya in 1985 from the artist. The painting presents a number of African masks and sculptures in various nature…
Fertility Figure: Female (Akua Mma)
Object is made of wood and depicts a female figure with an exaggerated flat, disc-like head, an Akua Mma symbol of beauty, a large stomach and thin neck. Possibly from the Ashanti people of Ghana, West Africa. According to legend, a woman named Akua…
Helmet Mask
From the Bambara People in Mali. Made of local wood and represents a large antelope on top of a man's head. Reportedly worn during male puberty rituals. Purchased in Côte d'Ivoire in 1986 by George Purvis.
Large Wicker Tray with Wooden Frame
Large wicker tray with wooden frame. The wicker tray is minimally ornamented and perhaps served to transport bread or other food stuffs.
Silk cloth with fringe
Yellow-white silk fabric displaying flowers and diamonds. At the ends of the fabric is yellow-white fringe.
Antique Wooden Santos Statue of St. Rocco, Philippines
Wooden statue depicting Philippine saint, St. Rocco, with stylized attire and accompanied by his hunting dog.
Turtle Stool
From the Bembe Tribe in Northern Congo. Object is a standing stool made of wood. It appears to be a stylized turtle with head, tail, and four legs.
Large Bakuba Stool, Congo
African stool made of wood from the Bakuba tribe of the Congo. Highly stylized stool showing a male figure on both sides with strong facial features and headdress. Purchased in Nairobi, Kenya in 1984.
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