Discover more than 80 visually engaging objects used in daily life in Africa that brilliantly merge artistry and utility. Late 19th- and early 20th-century hats, combs, vessels, baskets, seats, blankets, and wearable textiles drawn from the BMA’s outstanding African collection include several major recent acquisitions being shown for the first time.

These beautiful works represent 21 African countries: Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Malawi, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, and Zambia.

The exhibition is installed in galleries adjacent to the museum’s African collection, providing a more expansive view of the BMA’s remarkable holdings. A selection of videos and photographs will show how the objects were created and used.