Dialogue by Mark:

In today's Masters' Gallery, our artistic investigator, Kim at KidsArt, brings us an incredible nose from art history. This sculpture is from central Africa, carved out of solid wood about 100 years ago. The figure is dressed and decorated with animal skins, shells, cords, a long tooth, and other special objects.

In traditional African art, sculptures like masks and statues are almost always made for a religious purpose. Some statues are for good fortune. The Ashante women in Ghana make special statues to bring good health to their children.

Other statues were created for ancestor spirits. In some African cultures, people believe that when a person dies, part of its spirit wanders around looking for a new place on earth. If the person was loved and respected, their family might have a special statue made so the spirit will take it for a new home. Then some part of the person will stay with the people and help them in the future.

The artist who created this statue was specially trained by the older woodcarvers. Even the tools used to make the statue...the knives and hammer and chisel...were considered sacred and not used for any other work. This statue is now at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is treasured and admired by the museum and its visitors.